FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS AND HOW THEY GREW

By Margaret Sidney

 To the Memory of MY MOTHER; wise in counsel--tender in judgment, and in all charity --strengthful in Christian faith and purpose --I dedicate, with reverence, this simple book. 

CONTENTS

 A HOME VIEW

 MAKING HAPPINESS FOR MAMSIE

 MAMSIE'S BIRTHDAY

 TROUBLE FOR THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE

 MORE TROUBLE

 HARD DAYS FOR POLLY

 THE CLOUD OVER THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE

 JOEL'S TURN

 SUNSHINE AGAIN

 A THREATENED BLOW

 SAFE

 NEW FRIENDS

 PHRONSIE PAYS A DEBT OF GRATITUDE

 A LETTER TO JASPER

 JOLLY DAYS

 GETTING A CHRISTMAS FOR THE LITTLE ONES

 CHRISTMAS BELLS!

 EDUCATION AHEAD

 BRAVE WORK AND THE REWARD

 POLLY IS COMFORTED

 PHRONSIE

 GETTING READY FOR MAMSIE AND THE BOYS

 WHICH TREATS OF A GOOD MANY MATTERS

 POLLY'S DISMAL MORNING

 POLLY'S BIG BUNDLE

FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS

A HOME VIEW

The little old kitchen had quieted down from the bustle and confusionof mid-day; and now, with its afternoon manners on, presented a holidayaspect, that as the principal room in the brown house, it was eminentlyproper it should have. It was just on the edge of the twilight; and thelittle Peppers, all except Ben, the oldest of the flock, were enjoyinga "breathing spell, " as their mother called it, which meant somequiet work suitable for the hour. All the "breathing spell" they couldremember however, poor things; for times were always hard with themnowadays; and since the father died, when Phronsie was a baby, Mrs. Pepper had had hard work to scrape together money enough to put breadinto her children's mouths, and to pay the rent of the little brownhouse. 

But she had met life too bravely to be beaten down now. So with a stoutheart and a cheery face, she had worked away day after day at makingcoats, and tailoring and mending of all descriptions; and she had seenwith pride that couldn't be concealed, her noisy, happy brood growingup around her, and filling her heart with comfort, and making the littlebrown house fairly ring with jollity and fun. 

"Poor things!" she would say to herself, "they haven't had any bringingup; they've just scrambled up!" And then she would set her lips togethertightly, and fly at her work faster than ever. "I must get schooling forthem some way, but I don't see how!"

Once or twice she had thought, "Now the time is coming!" but it neverdid: for winter shut in very cold, and it took so much more to feed andwarm them, that the money went faster than ever. And then, when the wayseemed clear again, the store changed hands, so that for a long time shefailed to get her usual supply of sacks and coats to make; and thatmade sad havoc in the quarters and half-dollars laid up as her nest egg. But--"Well, it'll come some time, " she would say to herself; "because itmust!" And so at it again she would fly, brisker than ever. 

"To help mother, " was the great ambition of all the children, olderand younger; but in Polly's and Ben's souls, the desire grew sooverwhelmingly great as to absorb all lesser thoughts. Many and vastwere their secret plans, by which they were to astonish her at somefuture day, which they would only confide--as they did everythingelse--to one another. For this brother and sister were everything toeach other, and stood loyally together through "thick and thin. "

Polly was ten, and Ben one year older; and the younger three of the"Five Little Peppers, " as they were always called, looked up to themwith the intensest admiration and love. What they failed to do, couldn'tvery well be done by any One!

"Oh dear!" exclaimed Polly as she sat over in the corner by the windowhelping her mother pull out basting threads from a coat she had justfinished, and giving an impatient twitch to the sleeve, "I do wish wecould ever have any light--just as much as we want!"

"You don't need any light to see these threads, " said Mrs. Pepper, winding up hers carefully, as she spoke, on an old spool. "Take care, Polly, you broke that; thread's dear now. "

"I couldn't help it, " said Polly, vexedly; "it snapped; everything'sdear now, it seems to me! I wish we could have--oh! ever an' ever somany candles; as many as we wanted. I'd light 'em all, so there! andhave it light here one night, anyway!"

"Yes, and go dark all the rest of the year, like as anyway, " observedMrs. Pepper, stopping to untie a knot. "Folks who do so never have anycandles, " she added, sententiously. 

"How many'd you have, Polly?" asked Joel, curiously, laying down hishammer, and regarding her with the utmost anxiety. 

"Oh, two hundred!" said Polly, decidedly. "I'd have two hundred, all ina row!"

"Two hundred candles!" echoed Joel, in amazement. "My whockety! what alot!"

"Don't say such dreadful words, Joel, " put in Polly, nervously, stoppingto pick up her spool of basting thread that was racing away all byitself; "tisn't nice. "

"Tisn't worse than to wish you'd got things you haven't, " retorted Joel. "I don't believe you'd light 'em all at once, " he added, incredulously. 

"Yes, I would too!" replied Polly, reckessly; "two hundred of 'em, if Ihad a chance; all at once, so there, Joey Pepper!"

"Oh, " said little Davie, drawing a long sigh. "Why, 'twould be just likeheaven, Polly! but wouldn't it cost money, though!"

"I don't care, " said Polly, giving a flounce in her chair, which snappedanother thread; "oh dear me! I didn't mean to, mammy; well, I wouldn'tcare how much money it cost, we'd have as much light as we wanted, foronce; so!"

"Mercy!" said Mrs. Pepper, "you'd have the house afire! Two hundredcandles! who ever heard of such a thing!"

"Would they burn?" asked Phronsie, anxiously, getting up from the floorwhere she was crouching with David, overseeing Joel nail on the cover ofan old box; and going to Polly's side she awaited her answer patiently. 

"Burn?" said Polly. "There, that's done now, mamsie dear!" And she putthe coat, with a last little pat, into her mother's lap. "I guess theywould, Phronsie pet. " And Polly caught up the little girl, and spunround and round the old kitchen till they were both glad to stop. 

"Then, " said Phronsie, as Polly put her down, and stood breathless afterher last glorious spin, "I do so wish we might, Polly; oh, just thisvery one minute!"

And Phronsie clasped her fat little hands in rapture at the thought. 

"Well, " said Polly, giving a look up at the old clock in the corner;"deary me! it's half-past five; and most time for Ben to come home!"

Away she flew to get supper. So for the next few moments nothing washeard but the pulling out of the old table into the middle of the floor, the laying the cloth, and all the other bustle attendant upon thebeing ready for Ben. Polly went skipping around, cutting the bread, and bringing dishes; only stopping long enough to fling some scraps ofreassuring nonsense to the two boys, who were thoroughly dismayed atbeing obliged to remove their traps into a corner. 

Phronsie still stood just where Polly left her. Two hundred candles! oh!what could it mean! She gazed up to the old beams overhead, and aroundthe dingy walls, and to the old black stove, with the fire nearly out, and then over everything the kitchen contained, trying to think how itwould seem. To have it bright and winsome and warm! to suit Polly--"oh!"she screamed. 

"Goodness!" said Polly, taking her head out of the old cupboard in thecorner, "how you scared me, Phronsie!"

"Would they ever go out?" asked the child gravely, still standing wherePolly left her. 

"What?" asked Polly, stopping with a dish of cold potatoes in her hand. "What, Phronsie?"

"Why, the candles, " said the child, "the ever-an'-ever so many prettylights!"

"Oh, my senses!" cried Polly, with a little laugh, "haven't youforgotten that! Yes--no, that is, Phronsie, if we could have 'em at all, we wouldn't ever let 'em go out!"

"Not once?" asked Phronsie, coming up to Polly with a little skip, andnearly upsetting her, potatoes and all--"not once, Polly, truly?"

"No, not forever-an'-ever, " said Polly; "take care, Phronsie! there goesa potato; no, we'd keep 'em always!"

"No, you don't want to, " said Mrs. Pepper, coming out of the bedroom intime to catch the last words; "they won't be good to-morrow; better havethem to-night, Polly. "

"Ma'am!" said Polly, setting down her potato-dish on the table, andstaring at her mother with all her might--"have what, mother?"

"Why, the potatoes, to be sure, " replied Mrs. Pepper; "didn't you sayyou better keep them, child?"

"Twasn't potatoes--at all, " said Polly, with a little gasp; "twas--dearme! here's Ben!" For the door opened, and Phronsie, with a scream ofdelight, bounded into Ben's arms. 

"It's just jolly, " said Ben, coming in, his chubby face all aglow, andhis big blue eyes shining so honest and true; "it's just jolly to gethome! supper ready, Polly?"

"Yes, " said Polly; "that is--all but--" and she dashed off forPhronsie's eating apron. 

"Sometime, " said Phronsie, with her mouth half full, when the meal wasnearly over, "we're going to be awful rich; we are, Ben, truly!"

"No?" said Ben, affecting the most hearty astonishment; "you don't sayso, Chick!"

"Yes, " said Phronsie, shaking her yellow head very wisely at him, anddiving down into her cup of very weak milk and water to see if Polly hadput any sugar in by mistake--a proceeding always expectantly observed. "Yes, we are really, Bensie, very dreadful rich!"

"I wish we could be rich now, then, " said Ben, taking another generousslice of the brown bread; "in time for mamsie's birthday, " and he cast asorrowful glance at Polly. 

"I know, " said Polly; "oh dear! if we only could celebrate it!"

"I don't want any other celebration, " said Mrs. Pepper, beaming onthem so that a little flash of sunshine seemed to hop right down on thetable, "than to look round on you all; I'm rich now, and that's a fact!"

"Mamsie don't mind her five bothers, " cried Polly, jumping up andrunning to hug her mother; thereby producing a like desire in all theothers, who immediately left their seats and followed her example. 

"Mother's rich enough, " ejaculated Mrs. Pepper; her bright, black eyesglistening with delight, as the noisy troop filed back to their breadand potatoes; "if we can only keep together, dears, and grow up good, sothat the little brown house won't be ashamed of us, that's all I ask. "

"Well, " said Polly, in a burst of confidence to Ben, after the table hadbeen pushed back against the wall, the dishes nicely washed, wiped, andset up neatly in the cupboard, and all traces of the meal cleared away;"I don't care; let's try and get a celebration, somehow, for mamsie!"

"How are you going to do it?" asked Ben, who was of a decidedlypractical turn of mind, and thus couldn't always follow Polly in herflights of imagination. 

"I don't know, " said Polly; "but we must some way. "

"Phoh! that's no good, " said Ben, disdainfully; then seeing Polly'sface, he added kindly: "let's think, though; and perhaps there'll besome way. "

"Oh, I know, " cried Polly, in delight; "I know the very thing, Ben!let's make her a cake; a big one, you know, and--"

"She'll see you bake it, " said Ben; "or else she'll smell it, and that'dbe just as bad. "

"No, she won't either, " replied Polly. "Don't you know she's going tohelp Mrs. Henderson to-morrow; so there!"

"So she is, " said Ben; "good for you, Polly, you always think ofeverything!"

"And then, " said Polly, with a comfortable little feeling at her heartat Ben's praise, "why, we can have it all out of the way splendidly, youknow, when she comes home--and besides, Grandma Bascom'll tell me how. You know we've only got brown flour, Ben; I mean to go right over andask her now. "

"Oh, no, you mustn't, " cried Ben, catching hold of her arm as she waspreparing to fly off. "Mammy'll find it out; better wait till to-morrow;and besides Polly--" And Ben stopped, unwilling to dampen thispropitious beginning. "The stove'll act like everything, to-morrow! Iknow 'twill; then what'll you do!"

"It sha'n't!" said Polly, running up to look it in the face; "if itdoes, I'll shake it; the mean old thing!"

The idea of Polly's shaking the lumbering old black affair, sent Beninto such a peal of laughter that it brought all the other childrenrunning to the spot; and nothing would do but they must one and all, betold the reason. So Polly and Ben took them into confidence, whichso elated them that half an hour after, when long past her bedtime, Phronsie declared, "I'm not going to bed! I want to sit up like Polly!"

"Don't tease her, " whispered Polly to Ben, who thought she ought to go;so she sat straight up on her little stool, winking like everything tokeep awake. 

At last, as Polly was in the midst of one of her liveliest sallies, overtumbled Phronsie, a sleepy little heap, upon the floor. 

"I want--to go--to bed!" she said; "take me--Polly!"

"I thought so, " laughed Polly, and bundled her off into the bedroom. 

MAKING HAPPINESS FOR MAMSIE

And so, the minute her mother had departed for the minister's house nextmorning, and Ben had gone to his day's work, chopping wood for DeaconBlodgett, Polly assembled her force around the old stove, and proceededto business. She and the children had been up betimes that morning toget through with the work; and now, as they glanced around with a lookof pride on the neatly swept floor, the dishes all done, and everythingin order, the moment their mother's back was turned they began toimplore Polly to hurry and begin. 

"It's most 'leven o'clock, " said Joel, who, having no work to dooutside, that day, was prancing around, wild to help along thefestivities; "it's most 'leven o'clock, Polly Pepper! you won't have itdone. "

"Oh, no; 'tisn't either, Joe;" said Polly, with a very flushed face, andher arms full of kindlings, glancing up at the old clock as she spoke;"tisn't but quarter of nine; there, take care, Phronsie! you can't liftoff the cover; do help her, Davie. "

"No; let me!" cried Joel, springing forward; "it's my turn; Dave got theshingles; it's my turn, Polly. "

"So 'tis, " said Polly; "I forgot; there, " as she flung in the wood, and poked it all up in a nice little heap coaxingly. "It can't help butburn; what a cake we'll have for mamsie!"

"It'll be so big, " cried Phronsie, hopping around on one set of toes, "that mamsie won't know what to do, will she, Polly?"

"No, I don't believe she will, " said Polly, gayly, stuffing in morewood; "Oh, dear! there goes Ben's putty; it's all come out!"

"So it has, " said Joel, going around back of the stove to explore; andthen he added cheerfully, "it's bigger'n ever; oh! it's an awful bighole, Polly!"

"Now, whatever shall we do!" said Polly, in great distress; "thathateful old crack! and Ben's clear off to Deacon Blodgett's!"

"I'll run and get him, " cried Joel, briskly; "I'll bring him right homein ten minutes. "

"Oh, no, you must not, Joe, " cried Polly in alarm; "it wouldn't ever beright to take him off from his work; mamsie wouldn't like it. "

"What will you do, then?" asked Joel, pausing on his way to the door. 

"I'm sure I don't know, " said Polly, getting down on her knees toexamine the crack; "I shall have to stuff it with paper, I s'pose. "

"'Twon't stay in, " said Joel, scornfully; "don't you know you stuffed itbefore, last week?"

"I know, " said Polly, with a small sigh; and sitting down on the floor, she remained quite still for a minute, with her two black hands thrustout straight before her. 

"Can't you fix it?" asked Davie, soberly, coming up; "then we can't havethe cake. "

"Dear me!" exclaimed Polly, springing up quickly; "don't be afraid;we're going to have that cake! There, you ugly old thing, you!" (thisto the stove) "see what you've done!" as two big tears flew out ofPhronsie's brown eyes at the direful prospect; and the sorrowful facesof the two boys looked up into Polly's own, for comfort. "I can fix it, I most know; do get some paper, Joe, as quick as you can. "

"Don't know where there is any, " said Joel, rummaging around; "it's alltore up; 'xcept the almanac; can't I take that?"

"Oh dear, no!" cried Polly; "put it right back, Joe; I guess there'ssome in the wood-shed. "

"There isn't either, " said little Davie, quickly; "Joel and I took it tomake kites with. "

"Oh dear, " groaned Polly; "I don't know what we shall do; unless, " as abright thought struck her, "you let me have the kites, boys. "

"Can't, " said Joel; "they're all flew away; and torn up. "

"Well, now, children, " said Polly, turning round impressively upon them, the effect of which was heightened by the extremely crocky appearanceshe had gained in her explorations, "we must have some paper, orsomething to stop up that old hole with--some way, there!"

"I know, " said little Davie, "where we'll get it; it's upstairs;" andwithout another word he flew out of the room, and in another minute heput into Polly's hand an old leather boot-top, one of his most treasuredpossessions. "You can chip it, " he said, "real fine, and then 'twill goin. "

"So we can, " said Polly; "and you're a real good boy, Davie, to give it;that's a splendid present to help celebrate for mamsie!"

"I'd a-given a boot-top, " said Joel, looking grimly at the precious bitof leather which Polly was rapidly stripping into little bits, "if I'da-hed it; I don't have anything!"

"I know you would, Joey, " said Polly, kindly; "there now, you'll stay, I guess!" as with the united efforts of the two boys, cheered on byPhronsie's enthusiastic little crow of delight, the leather was crowdedinto place, and the fire began to burn. 

"Now, boys, " said Polly, getting up, and drawing a long breath, "I'mgoing over to Grandma Bascom's to get her to tell me how to make thecake; and you must stay and keep house. "

"I'm going to nail, " said Joel; "I've got lots to do. "

"All right, " said Polly, tying on her hood; "Phronsie'll love to watchyou; I won't be gone long, " and she was off. 

"Grandma Bascom, " wasn't really the children's grandmother; onlyeverybody in the village called her so by courtesy. Her cottage was overacross the lane, and just a bit around the corner; and Polly flew alongand up to the door, fully knowing that now she would be helped out ofher difficulty. She didn't stop to knock, as the old lady was so deafshe knew she wouldn't hear her, but opened the door and walked in. Grandma was sweeping up the floor, already as neat as a pin; when shesaw Polly coming, she stopped, and leaned on her broom. 

"How's your ma?" she asked, when Polly had said "good morning, " and thenhesitated. 

"Oh, mammy's pretty well, " shouted Polly into the old lady's ear; "andto-morrow's her birthday!"

"To-morrow'll be a bad day!" said grandma. "Oh, don't never say that. You mustn't borrow trouble, child. "

"I didn't, " said Polly; "I mean--it's her birthday, grandma!" this lastso loud that grandma's cap-border vibrated perceptibly. 

"The land's sakes 'tis!" cried Mrs. Bascom, delightedly; "you don't sayso!"

"Yes, " said Polly, skipping around the old lady, and giving her a smallhug; "and we're going to give her a surprise. "

"What is the matter with her eyes?" asked grandma, sharply, turningaround and facing her; "she's been a-sewin' too stiddy, hain't she?"

"A surprise!" shouted Polly, standing upon tiptoe, to bring her mouth ona level with the old lady's ear; "a cake, grandma, a big one!"

"A cake!" exclaimed grandma, dropping the broom to settle her cap, whichPolly in her extreme endeavors to carry on the conversation, had knockedslightly awry; "well, that'll be fine. "

"Yes, " said Polly, picking up the broom, and flinging off her hoodat the same time; "and, oh! won't you please tell me how to make it, grandma!"

"To be sure; to be sure;" cried the old lady, delighted beyond measureto give advice; "I've got splendid receets; I'll go get 'em right off, "and she ambled to the door of the pantry. 

"And I'll finish sweeping up, " said Polly, which grandma didn't hear;so she took up the broom, and sent it energetically, and merrily flyingaway to the tune of her own happy thoughts. 

"Yes, they're right in here, " said grandma, waddling back with an oldtin teapot in her hand;--"goodness, child! what a dust you've kickedup! that ain't the way to sweep. " And she took the broom out of Polly'shand, who stood quite still in mortification. 

"There, " she said, drawing it mildly over the few bits she could scrapetogether, and gently coaxing them into a little heap; "that's the way;and then they don't go all over the room. 

"I'm sorry, " began poor Polly. 

"'Tain't any matter, " said Mrs. Bascom kindly, catching sight of Polly'sdiscomfited face; "tain't a mite of matter; you'll sweep better nexttime; now let's go to the cake;" and putting the broom into the corner, she waddled back again to the table, followed by Polly, and proceededto turn out the contents of the teapot, in search of just the right"receet. "

But the right one didn't seem to appear; not even after the teapot wasturned upside down and shaken by both grandma's and Polly's anxioushands. Every other "receet" seemed to tumble out gladly, and stare themin the face--little dingy rolls of yellow paper, with an ancient odorof spice still clinging to them; but all efforts to find this particularone failed utterly. 

"Won't some other one do?" asked Polly, in the interval of fruitlesssearching, when grandma bewailed and lamented, and wondered, "where Icould a put it!"

"No, no, child, " answered the old lady; "now, where do you s'pose 'tis!"and she clapped both hands to her head, to see if she could possiblyremember; "no, no, child, " she repeated. "Why, they had it down to myniece Mirandy's weddin'--'twas just elegant! light as a feather; and'twan't rich either, " she added; "no eggs, nor--"

"Oh, I couldn't have eggs;" cried Polly, in amazement at the thought ofsuch luxury; "and we've only brown flour, grandma, you know. "

"Well, you can make it of brown, " said Mrs. Bascom, kindly; "when theraisins is in 'twill look quite nice. "

"Oh, we haven't any raisins, " answered Polly. 

"Haven't any raisins!" echoed grandma, looking at her over herspectacles; "what are you goin' to put in?"

"Oh--cinnamon, " said Polly, briskly; "we've got plenty of that, and--it'll be good, I guess, grandma!" she finished, anxiously; "anyway, we must have a cake; there isn't any other way to celebrate mamsie'sbirthday. "

"Well, now, " said grandma, bustling around; "I shouldn't be surprisedif you had real good luck, Polly. And your ma'll set ever so much by it;now, if we only could find that receet!" and returning to the charge shecommenced to fumble among her bits of paper again; "I never shall forgethow they eat on it; why, there wasn't a crumb left, Polly!"

"Oh, dear, " said Polly, to whom "Mirandy's wedding cake" now became theheight of her desires; "if you only can find it! can't I climb up andlook on the pantry shelves?"

"Maybe 'tis there, " said Mrs. Bascom, slowly; "you might try; sometimesI do put things away, so's to have 'em safe. "

So Polly got an old wooden chair, according to direction, and thenmounted up on it, with grandma below to direct, she handed down bowlafter bowl, interspersed at the right intervals with cracked teacups andhandleless pitchers. But at the end of these explorations, "Mirandy'swedding cake" was further off than ever. 

"Tain't a mite o' use, " at last said the old lady, sinking down indespair, while Polly perched on the top of the chair and looked at her;"I must a-give it away. "

"Can't I have the next best one, then?" asked Polly, despairingly, feeling sure that "Mirandy's wedding cake" would have celebrated the dayjust right; "and I must hurry right home, please, " she added, gettingdown from the chair, and tying on her hood; "or Phronsie won't know whatto do. "

So another "receet" was looked over, and selected; and with manycharges, and bits of advice not to let the oven get too hot, etc. , etc. , Polly took the precious bit in her hand, and flew over home. 

"Now, we've got to--" she began, bounding in merrily, with dancing eyes;but her delight had a sudden stop, as she brought up so suddenly atthe sight within, that she couldn't utter another word. Phronsie wascrouching, a miserable little heap of woe, in one corner of the mother'sbig calico-covered rocking-chair, and crying bitterly, while Joel hungover her in the utmost concern. 

"What's the matter?" gasped Polly. Flinging the "receet" on the table, she rushed up to the old chair and was down on her knees before it, herarms around the little figure. Phronsie turned, and threw herself intoPolly's protecting arms, who gathered her up, and sitting down in thedepths of the chair, comforted her as only she could. 

"What is it?" she asked of Joel, who was nervously begging Phronsie notto cry; "now, tell me all that's happened. "

"I was a-nailing, " began Joel; "oh dear! don't cry, Phronsie! do stopher, Polly. "

"Go on, " said Polly, hoarsely. 

"I was a-nailing, " began Joel, slowly; "and--and--Davie's gone to getthe peppermint, " he added, brightening up. 

"Tell me, Joe, " said Polly, "all that's been going on, " and she lookedsternly into his face; "or I'll get Davie to, " as little Davie camerunning back, with a bottle of castor oil, which in his flurry he hadmistaken for peppermint. This he presented with a flourish to Polly, whowas too excited to see it. 

"Oh, no!" cried Joel, in intense alarm; "Davie isn't going to! I'lltell, Polly; I will truly. "

"Go on, then, " said Polly; "tell at once;" (feeling as if somebodydidn't tell pretty quick, she should tumble over. )

"Well, " said Joel, gathering himself up with a fresh effort, "the oldhammer was a-shaking and Phronsie stuck her foot in the way--and--Icouldn't help it, Polly--no, I just couldn't, Polly. "

Quick as a flash, Polly tore off the little old shoe, and well-wornstocking, and brought to light Phronsie's fat little foot. Tenderlytaking hold of the white toes, the boys clustering around in thegreatest anxiety, she worked them back and forth, and up and down. "Nothing's broken, " she said at last, and drew a long breath. 

"It's there, " said Phronsie, through a rain of tears; "and it hurts, Polly;" and she began to wiggle the big toe, where around the nail wassettling a small black spot. 

"Poor little toe, " began Polly, cuddling up the suffering foot. Justthen, a small and peculiar noise struck her ear; and looking up she sawJoel, with a very distorted face, making violent efforts to keep frombursting out into a loud cry. All his attempts, however, failed; andhe flung himself into Polly's lap in a perfect torrent of tears. "Ididn't--mean to--Polly, " he cried; "'twas the--ugly, old hammer! ohdear!"

"There, there, Joey, dear, " said Polly, gathering him up in the othercorner of the old chair, close to her side; "don't feel bad; I know youdidn't mean to, " and she dropped a kiss on his stubby black hair. 

When Phronsie saw that anybody else could cry, she stopped immediately, and leaning over Polly, put one little fat hand on Joel's neck. "Don'tcry, " she said; "does your toe ache?"

At this, Joel screamed louder than ever; and Polly was at her wit'send to know what to do; for the boy's heart was almost broken. That heshould have hurt Phronsie! the baby, the pet of the whole house, uponwhom all their hearts centered--it was too much. So for the next fewmoments, Polly had all she could do by way of comforting and consolinghim. Just as she had succeeded, the door opened, and Grandma Bascomwalked in. 

"Settin' down?" said she; "I hope your cake ain't in, Polly, " lookinganxiously at the stove, "for I've found it;" and she waved a small pieceof paper triumphantly towards the rocking-chair as she spoke. 

"Do tell her, " said Polly to little David, "what's happened; for I can'tget up. "

So little Davie went up to the old lady, and standing on tiptoe, screamed into her ear all the particulars he could think of, concerningthe accident that had just happened. 

"Hey?" said grandma, in a perfect bewilderment; "what's he a-sayin', Polly--I can't make it out. "

"You'll have to go all over it again, David, " said Polly, despairingly;"she didn't hear one word, I don't believe. "

So David tried again; this time with better success. And then he gotdown from his tiptoes, and escorted grandma to Phronsie, in flushedtriumph. 

"Land alive!" said the old lady, sitting down in the chair which hebrought her; "you got pounded, did you?" looking at Phronsie, as shetook the little foot in her ample hand. 

"Yes'm, " said Polly, quickly; "twasn't any one's fault; what'll we dofor it, grandma?"

"Wormwood, " said the old lady, adjusting her spectacles in extremedeliberation, and then examining the little black and blue spot, whichwas spreading rapidly, "is the very best thing; and I've got some tohome--you run right over, " she said, turning round on David, quickly, "an' get it; it's a-hang-in' by the chimbley. "

"Let me; let me!" cried Joel, springing out of the old chair, sosuddenly that grandma's spectacles nearly dropped off in fright; "oh! Iwant to do it for Phronsie!"

"Yes, let Joel, please, " put in Polly; "he'll find it, grandma. " So Joeldeparted with great speed; and presently returned, with a bunch of dryherbs, which dangled comfortingly by his side, as he came in. 

"Now I'll fix it, " said Mrs. Bascom, getting up and taking off hershawl; "there's a few raisins for you, Polly; I don't want 'em, andthey'll make your cake go better, " and she placed a little parcel on thetable as she spoke. "Yes, I'll put it to steep; an' after it's put onreal strong, and tied up in an old cloth, Phronsie won't know as she'sgot any toes!" and grandma broke up a generous supply of the herb, andput it into an old tin cup, which she covered up with a saucer, andplaced on the stove. 

"Oh!" said Polly; "I can't thank you! for the raisins and all--you're sogood!"

"They're awful hard, " said Joel, investigating into the bundle withDavie, which, however, luckily the old lady didn't hear. 

"There, don't try, " she said cheerily; "an' I found cousin Mirandy'sweddin' cake receet, for--"

"Did you?" cried Polly; "oh! I'm so glad!" feeling as if that werecomfort enough for a good deal. 

"Yes, 'twas in my Bible, " said Mrs. Bascom; "I remember now; I put itthere to be ready to give John's folks when they come in; they wantedit; so you'll go all straight now; and I must get home, for I left somemeat a-boilin'. " So grandma put on her shawl, and waddled off, leaving agreat deal of comfort behind her. 

"Now, says I, " said Polly to Phronsie, when the little foot was snuglytied up in the wet wormwood, "you've got to have one of mamsie's oldslippers. "

"Oh, ho, " laughed Phronsie; "won't that be funny, Polly!"

"I should think it would, " laughed Polly, back again, pulling on thebig cloth slipper, which Joel produced from the bedroom, the two boysjoining uproariously, as the old black thing flapped dismally up anddown, and showed strong symptoms of flying off. "We shall have to tie iton. "

"It looks like a pudding bag, " said Joel, as Polly tied it securelythrough the middle with a bit of twine; "an old black pudding bag!" hefinished. 

"Old black pudding bag!" echoed Phronsie, with a merry little crow; andthen all of a sudden she grew very sober, and looked intently at thefoot thrust out straight before her, as she still sat in the chair. 

"What is it, Phronsie?" asked Polly, who was bustling around, makingpreparations for the cake-making. 

"Can I ever wear my new shoes again?" asked the child, gravely, lookingdismally at the black bundle before her. 

"Oh, yes; my goodness, yes!" cried Polly; "as quick again as ever;you'll be around again as smart as a cricket in a week--see if youaren't!"

"Will it go on?" asked Phronsie, still looking incredulously at thebundle, "and button up?"

"Yes, indeed!" cried Polly, again; "button into every one of the littleholes, Phronsie Pepper; just as elegant as ever!"

"Oh!" said Phronsie; and then she gave a sigh of relief, and thought nomore of it, because Polly had said that all would be right. 

MAMSIE'S BIRTHDAY

"Run down and get the cinnamon, will you, Joey?" said Polly; "it's inthe 'Provision Room. "

The "Provision Room" was a little shed that was tacked on to the mainhouse, and reached by a short flight of rickety steps; so called, because as Polly said, "'twas a good place to keep provisions in, evenif we haven't any; and besides, " she always finished, "it sounds nice!"

"Come on, Dave! then we'll get something to eat!"

So the cinnamon was handed up, and then Joel flew back to Davie. 

And now, Polly's cake was done, and ready for the oven. With manyadmiring glances from herself, and Phronsie, who with Seraphina, anextremely old but greatly revered doll, tightly hugged in her arms waswatching everything with the biggest of eyes from the depths of the oldchair, it was placed in the oven, the door shut to with a happy littlebang, then Polly gathered Phronsie up in her arms, and sat down in thechair to have a good time with her and to watch the process of cooking. 

There was a bumping noise that came from the "Provision Room" thatsounded ominous, and then a smothered sound of words, followed by ascuffling over the old floor. 

"Boys!" called Polly. No answer; everything was just as still as amouse. "Joel and David!" called Polly again, in her loudest tones. 

"Yes, " came up the crooked stairs, in Davie's voice. 

"Come up here, right away!" went back again from Polly. So up the stairstrudged the two boys, and presented themselves rather sheepishly beforethe big chair. 

"What was that noise?" she asked; "what have you been doing?"

"Twasn't anything but the pail, " answered Joel, not looking at her. 

"We had something to eat, " said Davie, by way of explanation; "youalways let us. "

"I know, " said Polly; "that's right, you can have as much bread as youwant to; but what you been doing with the pail?"

"Nothing, " said Joel; "'twouldn't hangup, that's all. "

"And you've been bumping it, " said Polly; "oh! Joel, how could you! Youmight have broken it; then what would mamsie say?"

"I didn't, " said Joel, stoutly, with his hands in his pockets, "bump itworse'n Davie, so there!"

"Why, Davie, " said Polly, turning to him sorrowfully, "I shouldn't havethought you would!"

"Well, I'm tired of hanging it up, " said little Davie, vehemently; "andI said I wasn't a-goin' to; Joel always makes me; I've done it for twomillion times, I guess!"

"Oh, dear, " said Polly, sinking back into the chair, "I don't knowwhat I ever shall do; here's Phronsie hurt; and we want to celebrateto-morrow; and you two boys are bumping and banging out the bread pail, and--"

"Oh! we won't!" cried both of the children, perfectly overwhelmed withremorse; "we'll hang it right up. "

"I'll hang it, " said Davie, clattering off down the stairs with a will. 

"No, I will!" shouted Joel, going after him at double pace; andpresently both came up with shining faces, and reported it nicely done. 

"And now, " said Polly, after they had all sat around the stove anotherhalf-hour, watching and sniffing expectantly, "the cake's done!--dearme! it's turning black!"

And quickly as possible Polly twitched it out with energy, and set it onthe table. 

Oh, dear; of all things in the world! The beautiful cake over which somany hopes had been formed, that was to have given so much happinesson the morrow to the dear mother, presented a forlorn appearance as itstood there in anything but holiday attire. It was quite black on thetop, in the center of which was a depressing little dump, as if to say, "My feelings wouldn't allow me to rise to the occasion. "

"Now, " said Polly, turning away with a little fling, and looking atthe stove, "I hope you're satisfied, you old thing; you've spoiled ourmamsie's birthday!" and without a bit of warning, she sat right down inthe middle of the floor and began to cry as hard as she could. 

"Well, I never!" said a cheery voice, that made the children skip. 

"It's Mrs. Beebe; oh, it's Mrs. Beebe!" cried Davie; "see, Polly. "

Polly scrambled up to her feet, ashamed to be caught thus, and whiskedaway the tears; the others explaining to their new visitor the saddisappointment that had befallen them; and she was soon oh-ing, andah-ing enough to suit even their distressed little souls. 

"You poor creeters, you!" she exclaimed at last, for about the fiftiethtime. "Here, Polly, here's some posies for you, and--"

"Oh, thank you!" cried Polly, with a radiant face, "why, Mrs. Beebe, wecan put them in here, can't we? the very thing!"

And she set the little knot of flowers in the hollow of the cake, andthere they stood and nodded away to the delighted children, like bravelittle comforters, as they were. 

"The very thing!" echoed Mrs. Beebe, tickled to death to see theirdelight; "it looks beautiful, I declare! and now, I must run rightalong, or pa'll be worrying;" and so the good woman trotted out to herwaiting husband, who was impatient to be off. Mr. Beebe kept a littleshoe shop in town; and always being of the impression if he left it forten minutes that crowds of customers would visit it. He was the mostrestless of companions on any pleasure excursion. 

"And Phronsie's got hurt, " said Mrs. Beebe, telling him the news, as hefinished tucking her up, and started the old horse. 

"Ho? you don't say so!" he cried; "whoa!"

"Dear me!" said Mrs. Beebe; "how you scat me, pal what's the matter?"

"What?--the little girl that bought the shoes?" asked her husband. 

"Yes, " replied his wife, "she's hurt her foot. "

"Sho, now, " said the old gentleman; "that's too bad, " and he began tofeel in all his pockets industriously; "there, can you get out again, and take her that?" and he laid a small piece of peppermint candy, thickand white, in his wife's lap. 

"Oh, yes, " cried Mrs. Beebe, good-naturedly, beginning to clamber overthe wheel. 

So the candy was handed in to Phronsie, who insisted that Polly shouldhold her up to the window to thank Mr. Beebe. So amid nods, and shakingsof hands, the Beebes drove off, and quiet settled down over the littlebrown house again. 

"Now, children, " said Polly, after Phronsie had made them take a bite ofher candy all around, "let's get the cake put away safe, for mamsie maycome home early. 

"Where'll you put it?" asked Joel, wishing the world was all peppermintcandy. 

"Oh--in the cupboard, " said Polly, taking it up; "there, Joe, you canclimb up, and put it clear back in the corner, oh! wait; I must takethe posies off, and keep them fresh in water;" so the cake was finallydeposited in a place of safety, followed by the eyes of all thechildren. 

"Now, " said Polly, as they shut the door tight, "don't you go to lookingat the cupboard, Joey, or mammy'll guess something. "

"Can't I just open it a little crack, and take one smell when she isn'tlooking?" asked Joel; "I should think you might, Polly; just one. "

"No, " said Polly, firmly; "not one, Joe; she'll guess if you do. " ButMrs. Pepper was so utterly engrossed with her baby when she came homeand heard the account of the accident, that she wouldn't have guessedif there'd been a dozen cakes in the cupboard. Joel was consoled, as hismother assured him in a satisfactory way that she never should thinkof blaming him; and Phronsie was comforted and coddled to her heart'scontent. And so the evening passed rapidly and happily away; Bensmuggling Phronsie off into a corner, where she told him all the doingsof the day--the disappointment of the cake, and how it was finallycrowned with flowers; all of which Phronsie, with no small pride inbeing the narrator, related gravely to her absorbed listener. "And don'tyou think, Bensie, " she said, clasping her little hand in a convincingway over his two bigger, stronger ones, "that Polly's stove was verynaughty to make poor Polly cry?"

"Yes, I do, " said Ben, and he shut his lips tightly together. 

To have Polly cry, hurt him more than he cared to have Phronsie see. 

"What are you staring at, Joe?" asked Polly, a few minutes later, as hereyes fell upon Joel, who sat with his back to the cupboard, persistentlygazing at the opposite wall. 

"Why, you told me yourself not to look at the cupboard, " said Joel, inthe loudest of stage whispers. 

"Dear me; that'll make mammy suspect worse'n anything else if you looklike that, " said Polly. 

"What did you say about the cupboard?" asked Mrs. Pepper, who caughtJoe's last word. 

"We can't tell, " said Phronsie, shaking her head at her mother; "causethere's a ca----" "Ugh!" and Polly clapped her hand on the child'smouth; "don't you want Ben to tell us a story?"

"Oh, yes!" cried little Phronsie, in which all the others joined witha whoop of delight; so a most wonderful story, drawn up in Ben's beststyle, followed till bedtime. 

The first thing Polly did in the morning, was to run to the oldcupboard, followed by all the others, to see if the cake was safe; andthen it had to be drawn out, and dressed anew with the flowers, for theyhad decided to have it on the breakfast table. 

"It looks better, " whispered Polly to Ben, "than it did yesterday; andaren't the flowers pretty?"

"It looks good enough to eat, anyway, " said Ben, smacking his lips. 

"Well, we tried, " said Polly, stilling a sigh; "now, boys, call mamsie;everything's ready. "

Oh! how surprised their mother appeared when she was ushered out to thefeast, and the full glory of the table burst upon her. Her delight inthe cake was fully enough to satisfy the most exacting mind. Sheadmired and admired it on every side, protesting that she shouldn't havesupposed Polly could possibly have baked it as good in the old stove;and then she cut it, and gave a piece to every child, with a little posyon top. Wasn't it good, though! for like many other things, the cakeproved better on trial than it looked, and so turned out to be reallyquite a good surprise all around. 

"Why can't I ever have a birthday?" asked Joel, finishing the last crumbof his piece; "I should think I might, " he added, reflectively. 

"Why, you have, Joe, " said Ben; "eight of 'em. "

"What a story!" ejaculated Joel; "when did I have 'em? I never had acake; did I, Polly?"

"Not a cake-birthday, Joel, " said his mother; "you haven't got to thatyet. "

"When's it coming?" asked Joel, who was decidedly of a matter-of-factturn of mind. 

"I don't know, " said Mrs. Pepper, laughing; "but there's plenty of timeahead. "

TROUBLE FOR THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE

"Oh, I do wish, " said Joel, a few mornings after, pushing back his chairand looking discontentedly at his bowl of mush and molasses, "that wecould ever have something new besides this everlasting old breakfast!Why can't we, mammy?"

"Better be glad you've got that, Joe, " said Mrs. Pepper, taking anothercold potato, and sprinkling on a little salt; "folks shouldn't complainso long as they've anything to eat. "

"But I'm so tired of it--same old thing!" growled Joel; "seems as if Ish'd turn into a meal-bag or a molasses jug!"

"Well, hand it over, then, " proposed Ben, who was unusually hungry, andhad a hard day's work before him. 

"No, " said Joel, alarmed at the prospect, and putting in an enormousmouthful; "it's better than nothing. "

"Oh, dear, " said little Phronsie, catching Joel's tone, "it isn't nice;no, it isn't. " And she put down her spoon so suddenly that the molassesspun off in a big drop, that trailed off the corner of the table, andmade Polly jump up and run for the floor-cloth. 

"Oh, Phronsie, " she said, reprovingly; "you ought not to. Never mind, pet, " as she caught sight of two big tears trying to make a path in thelittle molasses-streaked face, "Polly'll wipe it up. "

"Sha'n't we ever have anything else to eat, Polly?" asked the child, gravely, getting down from her high chair to watch the operation ofcleaning the floor. 

"Oh, yes, " said Polly, cheerfully, "lots and lots--when our ship comesin. "

"What'll they be?" asked Phronsie, in the greatest delight, prepared foranything. 

"Oh, I don't know, " said Polly; "ice cream for one thing, Phronsie, andmaybe, little cakes. "

"With pink on top?" interrupted Phronsie, getting down by Polly's side. 

"Oh, yes, " said Polly, warming with her subject; "ever and ever so muchpink, Phronsie Pepper; more than you could eat!"

Phronsie just clasped her hands and sighed. More than she could eat wasbeyond her!

"Hoh!" said Joel, who caught the imaginary bill of fare, "that'snothing, Polly. I'd speak for a plum-puddin'. "

"Like the one mother made us for Thanksgiving?" asked Polly, getting upand waiting a minute, cloth in hand, for the answer. 

"Yes, sir, " said Joel, shutting one eye and looking up at the ceiling, musingly, while he smacked his lips in remembrance; "wasn't that prime, though!"

"Yes, " said Polly, thoughtfully; "would you have 'em all like that, Joe?"

"Every one, " replied Joe, promptly; "I'd have seventy-five of 'em. "

"Seventy-five what?" asked Mrs. Pepper, who had gone into the bedroom, and now came out, a coat in hand, to sit down in the west window, whereshe began to sew rapidly. "Better clear up the dishes, Polly, and setthe table back--seventy-five what, Joel?"

"Plum-puddings, " said Joel, kissing Phronsie. 

"Dear me!" ejaculated Mrs. Pepper; "you don't know what you're saying, Joel Pepper; the house couldn't hold 'em!"

"Wouldn't long, " responded Joel; "we'd eat 'em. "

"That would be foolish, " interposed Ben; "I'd have roast beef andfixings--and oysters--and huckleberry pie. "

"Oh, dear, " cried Polly; "how nice, Ben! you always do think of the verybest things. "

But Joel phoohed and declared he wouldn't waste his time "over old beef;he'd have something like!" And then he cried:

"Come on, Dave, what'd you choose?"

Little Davie had been quietly eating his breakfast amid all thischatter, and somehow thinking it might make the mother feel badly, hehad refrained from saying just how tiresome he had really found this"everlasting breakfast" as Joel called it. But now he looked up eagerly, his answer all ready. "Oh, I know, " he cried, "what would be mostbeautiful! toasted bread--white bread--and candy. "

"What's candy?" asked Phronsie. 

"Oh, don't you know, Phronsie, " cried Polly, "what Mrs. Beebe gave youthe day you got your shoes--the pink sticks; and--"

"And the peppermint stick Mr. Beebe gave you, Phronsie, " finished Joel, his mouth watering at the remembrance. 

"That day, when you got your toe pounded, " added Davie, looking at Joel. 

"Oh!" cried Phronsie; "I want some now, I do!"

"Well, Davie, " said Polly, "you shall have that for breakfast when ourship comes in then. "

"Your ships aren't ever coming, " broke in Mrs. Pepper, wisely, "if yousit there talking--folks don't ever make any fortunes by wishing. "

"True enough, " laughed Ben, jumping up and setting back his chair. "Comeon, Joe; you've got to pile to-day. "

"Oh, dear, " said Joel, dismally; "I wish Mr. Blodgett's wood was alla-fire. "

"Never say that, Joel, " said Mrs. Pepper, looking up sternly; "it'sbiting your own nose off to wish that wood was a-fire--and besides it'sdreadfully wicked. "

Joel hung his head, for his mother never spoke in that way unless shewas strongly moved; but he soon recovered, and hastened off for hisjacket. 

"I'm sorry I can't help you do the dishes, Polly, " said David, runningafter Joel. 

"I'm going to help her, " said Phronsie; "I am. "

So Polly got the little wooden tub that she always used, gave Phronsiethe well-worn cup-napkin, and allowed her to wipe the handleless cupsand cracked saucers, which afforded the little one intense delight. 

"Don't you wish, Polly, " said little Phronsie, bustling around with avery important air, nearly smothered in the depths of a big brownapron that Polly had carefully tied under her chin, "that you didn'tever-an'-ever have so many dishes to do?"

"Um--maybe, " said Polly, thoughtlessly. She was thinking of somethingelse besides cups and saucers just then; of how nice it would be to gooff for just one day, and do exactly as she had a mind to in everything. She even envied Ben and the boys who were going to work hard at DeaconBlodgett's woodpile. 

"Well, I tell you, " said Phronsie, confidentially, setting down acup that she had polished with great care, "I'm going to do 'em allto-morrow, for you, Polly--I can truly; let me now, Polly, do. "

"Nonsense!" said Polly, giving a great splash with her mop in the tub, ashamed of her inward repinings. "Phronsie, you're no bigger than amouse!"

"Yes, I am, " retorted Phronsie, very indignantly. Her face began to getvery red, and she straightened up so suddenly to show Polly just howvery big she was that her little head came up against the edge of thetub--over it went! a pile of saucers followed. 

"There now, " cried Polly, "see what you've done!"

"Ow!" whimpered Phronsie, breaking into a subdued roar; "oh, Polly! it'sall running down my back. "

"Is it?" said Polly, bursting out into a laugh; "never mind, Phronsie, I'll dry you. "

"Dear me, Polly!" said Mrs. Pepper, who had looked up in time to see thetub racing along by itself towards the "Provision Room" door, a streamof dish-water following in its wake, "she will be wet clear through; doget off her things, quick. "

"Yes'm, " cried Polly, picking up the tub, and giving two or three quicksops to the floor. "Here you are, Pussy, " grasping Phronsie, crying asshe was, and carrying her into the bedroom. 

"Oh, dear, " wailed the child, still holding the wet dish towel; "I won'tever do it again, if you'll only let me do 'em all to-morrow. "

"When you're big and strong, " said Polly, giving her a hug, "you shalldo 'em every day. "

"May I really?" said little Phronsie, blinking through the tears, andlooking radiant. 

"Yes, truly--every day. "

"Then I'll grow right away, I will, " said Phronsie, bursting outmerrily; and she sat down and pulled off the well-worn shoes, into whicha big pool of dish-water had run, while Polly went for dry stockings. 

"So you shall, " said Polly, coming back, a big piece of gingerbread inher hand; "and this'll make you grow, Phronsie. "

"O-o-h!" and Phronsie's little white teeth shut down quickly on thecomforting morsel. Gingerbread didn't come often enough into the Pepperhousehold to be lightly esteemed. 

"Now, " said Mrs. Pepper, when order was restored, the floor washedup brightly, and every cup and platter in place, hobnobbing away tothemselves on the shelves of the old corner cupboard, and Polly had comeas usual with needle and thread to help mother--Polly was getting sothat she could do the plain parts on the coats and jackets, whichfilled her with pride at the very thought--"now, " said Mrs. Pepper, "youneedn't help me this morning, Polly: I'm getting on pretty smart; butyou may just run down to the parson's, and see how he is. "

"Is he sick?" asked Polly, in awe. 

To have the parson sick, was something quite different from an ordinaryperson's illness. 

"He's taken with a chill, " said Mrs. Pepper, biting off a thread, "soMiss Huldy Folsom told me last night, and I'm afraid he's going to havea fever. "

"Oh, dear, " said Polly, in dire distress; "whatever'd we do, mammy!"

"Don't know, I'm sure, " replied Mrs. Pepper, setting her stitchesfirmly; "the Lord'll provide. So you run along, child, and see how heis. "

"Can't Phronsie go?" asked Polly, pausing half-way to the bedroom door. 

"Well, yes, I suppose she might, " said Mrs. Pepper, assentingly. 

"No, she can't either, " said Polly, coming back with her sun-bonnet inher hand, and shutting the door carefully after her, "cause she's fastasleep on the floor. "

"Is she?" said Mrs. Pepper; "well, she's been running so this morning, she's tired out, I s'pose. "

"And her face is dreadfully red, " continued Polly, tying on her bonnet;"now, what'll I say, mammy?"

"Well, I should think 'twould be, " said Mrs. Pepper, replying to thefirst half of Polly's speech; "she cried so. Well, you just tell Mrs. Henderson your ma wants to know how Mr. Henderson is this morning, andif 'twas a chill he had yesterday, and how he slept last night, and--"

"Oh, ma, " said Polly, "I can't ever remember all that. "

"Oh, yes, you can, " said Mrs. Pepper, encouragingly; "just put your mindon it, Polly; 'tisn't anything to what I used to have to remember--whenI was a little girl, no bigger than you are. "

Polly sighed, and feeling sure that something must be the matter withher mind, gave her whole attention to the errand; till at last after amultiplicity of messages and charges not to forget any one of them, Mrs. Pepper let her depart. 

Up to the old-fashioned green door, with its brass knocker, Polly went, running over in her mind just which of the messages she ought to givefirst. She couldn't for her life think whether "if 'twas a chill he hadyesterday?" ought to come before "how he slept?" She knocked timidly, hoping Mrs. Henderson would help her out of her difficulty by tellingher without the asking. All other front doors in Badgertown wereornaments, only opened on grand occasions, like a wedding or a funeral. But the minister's was accessible alike to all. So Polly let fall theknocker, and awaited the answer. 

A scuffling noise sounded along the passage; and then Polly's soul sankdown in dire dismay. It was the minister's sister, and not gentle littleMrs. Henderson. She never could get on with Miss Jerusha in the least. She made her feel as she told her mother once--"as if I don't know whatmy name is. " And now here she was; and all those messages. 

Miss Jerusha unbolted the door, slid back the great bar, opened theupper half, and stood there. She was a big woman, with sharp black eyes, and spectacles--over which she looked--which to Polly was much worse, for that gave her four eyes. 

"Well, and what do you want?" she asked. 

"I came to see--I mean my ma sent me, " stammered poor Polly. 

"And who is your ma?" demanded Miss Jerusha, as much like a policeman asanything; "and where do you live?"

"I live in Primrose Lane, " replied Polly, wishing very much that she wasback there. 

"I don't want to know where you live, before I know who you are, " saidMiss Jerusha; "you should answer the question I asked first; alwaysremember that. "

"My ma's Mrs. Pepper, " said Polly. 

"Mrs. Who?" repeated Miss Jerusha. 

By this time Polly was so worn that she came very near turning andfleeing, but she thought of her mother's disappointment in her, and theloss of the news, and stood quite still. 

"What is it, Jerusha?" a gentle voice here broke upon Polly's ear. 

"I don't know, " responded Miss Jerusha, tartly, still holding the doormuch as if Polly were a robber; "it's a little girl, and I can't makeout what she wants. "

"Why, it's Polly Pepper!" exclaimed Mrs. Henderson, pleasantly. "Comein, child. " She opened the other half of the big door, and led theway through the wide hall into a big, old-fashioned room, with paintedfloor, and high, old side-board, and some stiff-backed rocking-chairs. 

Miss Jerusha stalked in also and seated herself by the window, and beganto knit. Polly had just opened her mouth to tell her errand, when thedoor also opened suddenly and Mr. Henderson walked in. 

"Oh!" said Polly, and then she stopped, and the color flushed up intoher face. 

"What is it, my dear?" and the minister took her hand kindly, and lookeddown into her flushed face. 

"You are not going to have a fever, and be sick and die!" she cried. 

"I hope not, my little girl, " he smiled back, encouragingly; and thenPolly gave her messages, which now she managed easily enough. 

"There, " broke in Miss Jerusha, "a cat can't sneeze in this town buteverybody'll know it in quarter of an hour. "

And then Mrs. Henderson took Polly out to see a brood of new littlechicks, that had just popped their heads out into the world; and toPolly, down on her knees, admiring, the time passed very swiftly indeed. 

"Now I must go, ma'am, " she said at last, looking up into the lady'sface, regretfully, "for mammy didn't say I was to stay. "

"Very well, dear; do you think you could carry a little pat of butter?I have some very nice my sister sent me, and I want your mother to shareit. "

"Oh, thank you, ma'am!" cried Polly, thinking, "how glad Davie'll be, for he does so love butter! only--"

"Wait a bit, then, " said Mrs. Henderson, who didn't seem to notice theobjection. So she went into the house, and Polly went down again inadmiration before the fascinating little puff-balls. 

But she was soon on the way, with a little pat of butter in a blue bowl, tied over with a clean cloth; happy in her gift for mammy, and in theknowledge of the minister being all well. 

"I wonder if Phronsie's awake, " she thought to herself, turning in atthe little brown gate; "if she is, she shall have a piece of bread withlots of butter. "

"Hush!" said Mrs. Pepper, from the rocking-chair in the middle of thefloor. She had something in her arms. Polly stopped suddenly, almostletting the bowl fall. 

"It's Phronsie, " said the mother, "and I don't know what the matter iswith her; you'll have to go for the doctor, Polly, and just as fast asyou can. "

Polly still stood, holding the bowl, and staring with all her might. Phronsie sick!

"Don't wake her, " said Mrs. Pepper. 

Poor Polly couldn't have stirred to save her life, for a minute; thenshe said--"Where shall I go?"

"Oh, run to Dr. Fisher's; and don't be gone long. "

Polly set down the bowl of butter, and sped on the wings of the wind forthe doctor. Something dreadful was the matter, she felt, for never hada physician been summoned to the hearty Pepper family since she couldremember, only when the father died. Fear lent speed to her feet; andsoon the doctor came, and bent over poor little Phronsie, who still layin her mother's arms, in a burning fever. 

"It's measles, " he pronounced, "that's all; no cause for alarm; you everhad it?" he asked, turning suddenly around on Polly, who was watchingwith wide-open eyes for the verdict. 

"No, sir, " answered Polly, not knowing in the least what "measles" was. 

"What shall we do!" said Mrs. Pepper; "there haven't any of them hadit. "

The doctor was over by the little old table under the window, mixing upsome black-looking stuff in a tumbler, and he didn't hear her. 

"There, " he said, putting a spoonful into Phronsie's mouth, "she'll getalong well enough; only keep her out of the cold. " Then he pulled out abig silver watch. He was a little thin man, and the watch was immense. Polly for her life couldn't keep her eyes off from it; if Ben could onlyhave one so fine!

"Polly, " whispered Mrs. Pepper, "run and get my purse; it's in the topbureau drawer. "

"Yes'm, " said Polly, taking her eyes off, by a violent wrench, fromthe fascinating watch; and she ran quickly and got the little oldstocking-leg, where the hard earnings that staid long enough to be putanywhere, always found refuge. She put it into her mother's lap, andwatched while Mrs. Pepper counted out slowly one dollar in small pieces. 

"Here sir, " said Mrs. Pepper, holding them out towards the doctor; "andthank you for coming. "

"Hey!" said the little man, spinning round; "that dollar's the Lord's!"

Mrs. Pepper looked bewildered, and still sat holding it out. "And theLord has given it to you to take care of these children with; see thatyou do it. " And without another word he was gone. 

"Wasn't he good, mammy?" asked Polly, after the first surprise was over. 

"I'm sure he was, " said Mrs. Pepper. "Well, tie it up again, Polly, tieit up tight; we shall want it, I'm sure, " sighing at her little sickgirl. 

"Mayn't I take Phronsie, ma?" asked Polly. 

"No, no, " said Phronsie. She had got mammy, and she meant to improve theprivilege. 

"What is 'measles' anyway, mammy?" asked Polly, sitting down on thefloor at their feet. 

"Oh, 'tis something children always have, " replied Mrs. Pepper; "but I'msure I hoped it wouldn't come just yet. "

"I sha'n't have it, " said Polly, decisively; "I know I sha'n't! norBen--nor Joe--nor--nor Davie--I guess, " she added, hesitatingly, forDavie was the delicate one of the family; at least not nearly so strongas the others. 

Mrs. Pepper looked at her anxiously; but Polly seemed as bright andhealthy as ever, as she jumped up and ran to put the kettle on thestove. 

"What'll the boys say, I wonder!" she thought to herself, feelingquite important that they really had sickness in the house. As longas Phronsie wasn't dangerous, it seemed quite like rich folks; and sheforgot the toil, and the grind of poverty. She looked out from time totime as she passed the window, but no boys came. 

"I'll put her in bed, Polly, " said Mrs. Pepper, in a whisper, asPhronsie closed her eyes and breathed regularly. 

"And then will you have your dinner, ma?"

"Yes, " said Mrs. Pepper, "I don't care--if the boys come. "

"The boys'll never come, " said Polly, impatiently; "I don'tbelieve--why! here they are now!"

"Oh, dear, " said Joel, coming in crossly, "I'm so hungry--oh--butter!where'd you get it? I thought we never should get here!"

"I thought so too, " said Polly. "Hush! why, where's Ben?"

"He's just back, " began Joel, commencing to eat, "and Davie; somethingis the matter with Ben--he says he feels funny. "

"Something the matter with Ben!" repeated Polly. She dropped the cup sheheld, which broke in a dozen pieces. 

"Oh, whocky!" cried Joel; "see what you've done, Polly Pepper!"

But Polly didn't hear; over the big, flat door-stone she sped, andmet Ben with little David, coming in the gate. His face was just likePhronsie's! And with a cold, heavy feeling at her heart, Polly realizedthat this was no play. 

"Oh, Ben!" she cried, flinging her arms around his neck, and burstinginto tears; "don't! please--I wish you wouldn't; Phronsie's got 'em, andthat's enough!"

"Got what?" asked Ben, while Davie's eyes grew to their widestproportions. 

"Oh, measles!" cried Polly, bursting out afresh; "the hate-fullest, horridest measles! and now you're taken!"

"Oh no, I'm not, " responded Ben, cheerfully, who knew what measles were;"wipe up, Polly; I'm all right; only my head aches, and my eyes feelfunny. "

But Polly, only half-reassured, controlled her sobs; and the sorrowfultrio repaired to mother. 

"Oh, dear!" ejaculated Mrs. Pepper, sinking in a chair in dismay, atsight of Ben's red face; "whatever'll we do now!"

The prop and stay of her life would be taken away if Ben should be laidaside. No more stray half or quarter dollars would come to help her outwhen she didn't know where to turn. 

Polly cleared off the deserted table--for once Joel had all the breadand butter he wanted. Ben took some of Phronsie's medicine, andcrawled up into the loft, to bed; and quiet settled down on the littlehousehold. 

"Polly, " whispered Ben, as she tucked him in, "it'll be hard buckling-tonow, for you, but I guess you'll do it. "

MORE TROUBLE

"Oh, dear, " said Polly to herself, the next morning, trying to get abreakfast for the sick ones out of the inevitable mush; "everything'sjust as bad as it can be! they can't ever eat this; I wish I had anocean of toast!"

"Toast some of the bread in the pail, Polly, " said Mrs. Pepper. 

She looked worn and worried; she had been up nearly all night, back andforth from Ben's bed in the loft to restless, fretful little Phronsie inthe big four-poster in the bedroom; for Phronsie wouldn't get into thecrib. Polly had tried her best to help her, and had rubbed her eyesdiligently to keep awake, but she was wholly unaccustomed to it, and herhealthy, tired little body succumbed--and then when she awoke, shame andremorse filled her very heart. 

"That isn't nice, ma, " she said, glancing at the poor old pail, whichshe had brought out of the "Provision Room. " "Old brown bread! I want tofix 'em something nice. "

"Well, you can't, you know, " said Mrs. Pepper, with a sigh; "but you'vegot butter now; that'll be splendid!"

"I know it, " said Polly, running to the corner cupboard where theprecious morsel in the blue bowl remained; "whatever should we dowithout it, mammy?"

"Do without it!" said Mrs. Pepper; "same's we have done. "

"Well, 'twas splendid in Mrs. Henderson to give it to us, anyway, " saidPolly, longing for just one taste; "seems as if 'twas a year since Iwas there--oh, ma!" and here Polly took up the thread that had been sorudely snapped; "don't you think, she's got ten of the prettiest--yes, the sweetest little chickens you ever saw! Why can't we have some, mammy?"

"Costs money, " replied Mrs. Pepper. "We've got too many in the house tohave any outside. "

"Oh, dear, " said Polly, with a red face that was toasting about as muchas the bread she was holding on the point of an old fork; "we never havehad anything. There, " she added at last; "that's the best I can do; nowI'll put the butter on this little blue plate; ain't that cunning, ma?"

"Yes, " said Mrs. Pepper, approvingly; "it takes you, Polly. " So Pollytrotted first to Ben, up the crooked, low stairs to the loft; and whileshe regaled him with the brown toast and butter, she kept her tongueflying on the subject of the little chicks, and all that she saw on thefamous Henderson visit. Poor Ben pretended hard to eat, but ate nothingreally; and Polly saw it all, and it cut her to the heart--so she talkedfaster than ever. 

"Now, " she said, starting to go back to Phronsie; "Ben Pepper, just assoon as you get well, we'll have some chickens--so there!"

"Guess we sha'n't get 'em very soon, " said Ben, despondently, "if I'vegot to lie here; and, besides, Polly, you know every bit we can save hasgot to go for the new stove. "

"Oh, dear, " said Polly, "I forgot that; so it has; seems to meeverything's giving out!"

"You can't bake any longer in the old thing, " said Ben, turning over andlooking at her; "poor girl, I don't see how you've stood it so long. "

"And we've been stuffing it, " cried Polly merrily, "till 'twon't stuffany more. "

"No, " said Ben, turning back again, "that's all worn out. "

"Well, you must go to sleep, " said Polly, "or mammy'll be up here; andPhronsie hasn't had her breakfast either. "

Phronsie was wailing away dismally, sitting up in the middle of the oldbed. Her face pricked, she said, and she was rubbing it vigorously withboth fat little hands, and then crying worse than ever. 

"Oh me! oh my!" cried Polly; "how you look, Phronsie!"

"I want my mammy!" cried poor Phronsie. 

"Mammy can't come now, Phronsie dear; she's sewing. See what Polly's gotfor you--butter: isn't that splendid!"

Phronsie stopped for just one moment, and took a mouthful; but the toastwas hard and dry, and she cried harder than before. 

"Now, " said Polly, curling up on the bed beside her, "if you'll stopcrying, Phronsie Pepper, I'll tell you about the cunningest, yes, thevery cunningest little chickens you ever saw. One was white, and helooked just like this, " said Polly, tumbling over on the bed in a heap;"he couldn't stand up straight, he was so fat. "

"Did he bite?" asked Phronsie, full of interest. 

"No, he didn't bite me, " said Polly; "but his mother put a bug in hismouth--just as I'm doing you know, " and she broke off a small piece ofthe toast, put on a generous bit of butter, and held it over Phronsie'smouth. 

"Did he swallow it?" asked the child, obediently opening her little redlips. 

"Oh, snapped it, " answered Polly, "quick as ever he could, I tell you;but 'twasn't good like this, Phronsie. "

"Did he have two bugs?" asked Phronsie, eying suspiciously the secondmorsel of dry toast that Polly was conveying to her mouth. 

"Well, he would have had, " replied Polly, "if there'd been bugs enough;but there were nine other chicks, Phronsie. "

"Poor chickies, " said Phronsie, and looked lovingly at the rest of thetoast and butter on the plate; and while Polly fed it to her, listenedwith absorbed interest to all the particulars concerning each and everychick in the Henderson hen-coop. 

"Mother, " said Polly, towards evening, "I'm going to sit up with Bento-night; say I may, do, mother. "

"Oh no, you can't, " replied Mrs. Pepper; "you'll get worn out; and thenwhat shall I do? Joel can hand him his medicine. "

"Oh, Joe would tumble to sleep, mammy, " said Polly, "the firstthing--let me. "

"Perhaps Phronsie'll let me go to-night, " said Mrs. Pepper, reflectively. 

"Oh, no she won't, I know, " replied Polly, decisively; "she wants youall the time. "

"I will, Polly, " said Davie, coming in with an armful of wood, in timeto hear the conversation. "I'll give him his medicine, mayn't I, mammy?"and David let down his load, and came over where his mother and Pollysat sewing, to urge his rights. 

"I don't know, " said his mother, smiling on him. "Can you, do youthink?"

"Yes, ma'am!" said Davie, straightening himself up. 

When they told Ben, he said he knew a better way than for Davie towatch; he'd have a string tied to Davie's arm, and the end he'd hold inbed, and when 'twas time for medicine, he'd pull the string, and thatwould wake Davie up!

Polly didn't sleep much more on her shake-down on the floor than if shehad watched with Ben; for Phronsie cried and moaned, and wanted a drinkof water every two minutes, it seemed to her. As she went back into hernest after one of these travels, Polly thought: "Well, I don't care, ifnobody else gets sick; if Ben'll only get well. To-morrow I'm goin' todo mammy's sack she's begun for Mr. Jackson; it's all plain sew-in', just like a bag; and I can do it, I know--" and so she fell into atroubled sleep, only to be awakened by Phronsie's fretful little voice:"I want a drink of water, Polly, I do. "

"Don't she drink awfully, mammy?" asked Polly, after one of theseexcursions out to the kitchen after the necessary draught. 

"Yes, " said Mrs. Pepper; "and she mustn't have any more; 'twill hurther. " But Phronsie fell into a delicious sleep after that, and didn'twant any more, luckily. 

"Here, Joe, " said Mrs. Pepper, the next morning, "take this coat up toMr. Peterses; and be sure you get the money for it. "

"How'll I get it?" asked Joe, who didn't relish the long, hot walk. 

"Why, tell 'em we're sick--Ben's sick, " added Mrs. Pepper, as the mostdecisive thing; "and we must have it; and then wait for it. "

"Tisn't pleasant up at the Peterses, " grumbled Joel, taking the parceland moving slowly off. 

"No, no, Polly, " said Mrs. Pepper, "you needn't do that, " seeingPolly take up some sewing after doing up the room and finishing thesemi-weekly bake; "you're all beat out with that tussle over the stove;that sack'll have to go till next week. "

"It can't, mammy, " said Polly, snipping off a basting thread; "we've gotto have the money; how much'll he give you for it?"

"Thirty cents, " replied Mrs. Pepper. 

"Well, " said Polly, "we've got to get all the thirty centses we can, mammy dear; and I know I can do it, truly--try me once, " she implored. 

"Well. " Mrs. Pepper relented, slowly. 

"Don't feel bad, mammy dear, " comforted Polly, sewing away briskly;"Ben'll get well pretty soon, and then we'll be all right. "

"Maybe, " said Mrs. Pepper; and went back to Phronsie, who could scarcelylet her out of her sight. 

Polly stitched away bravely. "Now if I do this good, mammy'll let me doit other times, " she said to herself. 

Davie, too, worked patiently out of doors, trying to do Ben's chores. The little fellow blundered over things that Ben would have accomplishedin half the time, and he had to sit down often on the steps of thelittle old shed where the tools were kept, to wipe his hot face andrest. 

"Polly, " said Mrs. Pepper, "hadn't you better stop a little? Dear me!how fast you sew, child!"

Polly gave a delighted little hum at her mother's evident approval. 

"I'm going to do 'em all next week, mammy, " she said; "then Mr. Atkinswon't take 'em away from us, I guess. "

Mr. Atkins kept the store, and gave out coats and sacks of coarse linenand homespun to Mrs. Pepper to make; and it was the fear of losing thework that had made the mother's heart sink. 

"I don't believe anybody's got such children as I have, " she said; andshe gave Polly a motherly little pat that the little daughter felt clearto the tips of her toes with a thrill of delight. 

About half-past two, long after dinner, Joe came walking in, hungry as abeaver, but flushed and triumphant. 

"Why, where have you been all this time?" asked his mother. 

"Oh, Joe, you didn't stop to play?" asked Polly, from her perch whereshe sat sewing, giving him a reproachful glance. 

"Stop to play!" retorted Joe, indignantly; "no, I guess I didn't! I'vebeen to Old Peterses. "

"Not all this time!" exclaimed Mrs. Pepper. 

"Yes, I have too, " replied Joel, sturdily marching up to her. "Andthere's your money, mother;" and he counted out a quarter of a dollarin silver pieces and pennies, which he took from a dingy wad of paper, stowed away in the depths of his pocket. 

"Oh, Joe, " said Mrs. Pepper, sinking back in her chair and looking athim; "what do you mean?"

Polly put her work in her lap, and waited to hear. 

"Where's my dinner, Polly?" asked Joel; "I hope it's a big one. 

"Yes, 'tis, " said Polly; "you've got lots to-day, it's in the corner ofthe cupboard, covered up with the plate--so tell on, Joe. "

"That's elegant!" said Joel, coming back with the well-filled plate, Ben's and his own share. 

"Do tell us, Joey, " implored Polly; "mother's waiting. "

"Well, " said Joel, his mouth half full, "I waited--and he said the coatwas all right;--and--and--Mrs. Peters said 'twas all right;--and MirandyPeters said 'twas all right; but they didn't any of 'em say anythin'about payin', so I didn't think 'twas all right--and--and--can't I havesome more butter, Polly?"

"No, " said Polly, sorry to refuse him, he'd been so good about themoney; "the butter's got to be saved for Ben and Phronsie. "

"Oh, " said Joe, "I wish Miss Henderson would send us some more, I do! Ithink she might!"

"For shame, Joe, " said Mrs. Pepper; "she was very good to send this, Ithink; now what else did you say?" she asked. 

"Well, " said Joel, taking another mouthful of bread, "so I waited; youtold me to, mother, you know--and they all went to work; and they didn'tmind me at all, and--there wasn't anything to look at, so I sat--andsat--Polly, can't I have some gingerbread?"

"No, " said Polly, "it's all gone; I gave the last piece to Phronsie theday she was taken sick. "

"Oh, dear, " said Joel, "everything's gone. "

"Well, do go on, Joe, do. "

"And--then they had dinner; and Mr. Peters said, 'Hasn't that boy gonehome yet?' and Mrs. Peters said, 'no'--and he called me in, and asked mewhy I didn't run along home; and I said, Phronsie was sick, and Ben hadthe squeezles--"

"The what?" said Polly. 

"The squeezles, " repeated Joel, irritably; "that's what you said. "

"It's measles, Joey, " corrected Mrs. Pepper; "never mind, I wouldn'tfeel bad. "

"Well, they all laughed, and laughed, and then I said you told me towait till I did get the money. "

"Oh, Joe, " began Mrs. Pepper, "you shouldn't have told 'em so--what didhe say?"

"Well, he laughed, and said I was a smart boy, and he'd see; and Mirandysaid, 'do pay him, pa, he must be tired to death'--and don't you think, he went to a big desk in the corner, and took out a box, and 'twas fullmost of money--lots! oh! and he gave me mine--and--that's all; and I'mtired to death. " And Joel flung himself down on the floor, expanded hislegs as only Joel could, and took a comfortable roll. 

"So you must be, " said Polly, pityingly, "waiting at those Peterses. "

"Don't ever want to see any more Peterses, " said Joel; never, never, never!

"Oh, dear, " thought Polly, as she sewed on into the afternoon, "I wonderwhat does all my eyes! feels just like sand in 'em;" and she rubbed andrubbed to thread her needle. But she was afraid her mother would see, so she kept at her sewing. Once in awhile the bad feeling would go away, and then she would forget all about it. "There now, who says I can't doit! that's most done, " she cried, jumping up, and spinning across theroom, to stretch herself a bit, "and to-morrow I'll finish it. "

"Well, " said Mrs. Pepper, "if you can do that, Polly, you'll be thegreatest help I've had yet. "

So Polly tucked herself into the old shake-down with a thankful heartthat night, hoping for morning. 

Alas! when morning did come, Polly could hardly move. The measles! whatshould she do! A faint hope of driving them off made her tumble outof bed, and stagger across the room to look in the old crackedlooking-glass. All hope was gone as the red reflection met her gaze. Polly was on the sick list now!

"I won't be sick, " she said; "at any rate, I'll keep around. " An awfulfeeling made her clutch the back of a chair, but she managed somehow toget into her clothes, and go groping blindly into the kitchen. Somehow, Polly couldn't see very well. She tried to set the table, but 'twas nouse. "Oh, dear, " she thought, "whatever'll mammy do?"

"Hulloa!" said Joel, coming in, "what's the matter, Polly?" Pollystarted at his sudden entrance, and, wavering a minute, fell over in aheap. 

"Oh ma! ma!" screamed Joel, running to the foot of the stairs leading tothe loft, where Mrs. Pepper was with Ben; "something's taken Polly! andshe fell; and I guess she's in the wood-box!"

HARD DAYS FOR POLLY

"Ma, " said David, coming softly into the bedroom, where poor Pollylay on the bed with Phronsie, her eyes bandaged with a soft oldhandkerchief, "I'll set the table. "

"There isn't any table to set, " said Mrs. Pepper, sadly; "there isn'tanybody to eat anything, Davie; you and Joel can get something out ofthe cupboard. "

"Can we get whatever we've a mind to, ma?" cried Joel, who followedDavie, rubbing his face with a towel after his morning ablutions. 

"Yes, " replied his mother, absently. 

"Come on, Dave!" cried Joel; "we'll have a breakfast!"

"We mustn't, " said little Davie, doubtfully, "eat the whole, Joey. "

But that individual already had his head in the cupboard, which soonengrossed them both. 

Dr. Fisher was called in the middle of the morning to see what was thematter with Polly's eyes. The little man looked at her keenly over hisspectacles; then he said, "When were you taken?"

"This morning, " answered Polly, her eyes smarting. 

"Didn't you feel badly before?" questioned the doctor. Polly thoughtback; and then she remembered that she had felt very badly; that whenshe was baking over the old stove the day before her back had acheddreadfully; and that, somehow, when she sat down to sew, it didn't stop;only her eyes had bothered her so; she didn't mind her back so much. 

"I thought so, " said the doctor, when Polly answered. "And those eyesof yours have been used too much; what has she been doing, ma'am?" Heturned around sharply on Mrs. Pepper as he asked this. 

"Sewing, " said Mrs. Pepper, "and everything; Polly does everything, sir. "

"Humph!" said the doctor; "well, she won't again in one spell; her eyesare very bad. "

At this a whoop, small but terrible to hear, came from the middle of thebed; and Phronsie sat bolt upright. Everybody started; while Phronsiebroke out, "Don't make my Polly sick! oh! please don't!"

"Hey!" said the doctor; and he looked kindly at the small object witha very red face in the middle of the bed. Then he added, gently, "We'regoing to make Polly well, little girl; so that she can see splendidly. "

"Will you, really?" asked the child, doubtfully. 

"Yes, " said the doctor; "we'll try hard; and you mustn't cry; 'causethen Polly'll cry, and that will make her eyes very bad; very badindeed, " he repeated, impressively. 

"I won't cry, " said Phronsie; "no, not one bit. " And she wiped off thelast tear with her fat little hand, and watched to see what next was tobe done. 

And Polly was left, very rebellious indeed, in the big bed, with acooling lotion on the poor eyes, that somehow didn't cool them one bit. 

"If 'twas anythin' but my eyes, mammy, I could stand it, " she bewailed, flouncing over and over in her impatience; "and who'll do all the worknow?"

"Don't think of the work, Polly, " said Mrs. Pepper. 

"I can't do anything but think, " said poor Polly. 

Just at that moment a queer noise out in the kitchen was heard. 

"Do go out, mother, and see what 'tis, " said Polly. 

"I've come, " said a cracked voice, close up by the bedroom door, followed by a big black cap, which could belong to no other than GrandmaBascom, "to set by you a spell; what's the matter?" she asked, andstopped, amazed to see Polly in bed. 

"Oh, Polly's taken, " screamed Mrs. Pepper in her ear. 

"Taken!" repeated the old lady, "what is it--a fit?"

"No, " said Mrs. Pepper; "the same as Ben's got; and Phronsie; themeasles. "

"The measles, has she?" said grandma; "well, that's bad; and Ben's away, you say. "

"No, he isn't either, " screamed Mrs. Pepper, "he's got them, too!"

"Got two what?" asked grandma. 

"Measles! he's got the measles too, " repeated Mrs. Pepper, loud as shecould; so loud that the old lady's cap trembled at the noise. 

"Oh! the dreadful!" said grandma; "and this girl too?" laying her handon Phronsie's head. 

"Yes, " said Mrs. Pepper, feeling it a little relief to tell over hermiseries; "all three of them!"

"I haven't, " said Joel, coming in in hopes that grandma had a straypeppermint or two in her pocket, as she sometimes did; "and I'm notgoing to, either. "

"Oh, dear, " groaned his mother; "that's what Polly said; and she'sgot 'em bad. It's her eyes, " she screamed to grandma, who lookedinquiringly. 

"Her eyes, is it?" asked Mrs. Bascom; "well, I've got a receet thatcousin Samanthy's folks had when John's children had 'em; and I'll runright along home and get it, " and she started to go. 

"No, you needn't, " screamed Mrs. Pepper; "thank you, Mrs. Bascom; butDr. Fisher's been here; and he put something on Polly's eyes; and hesaid it mustn't be touched. "

"Hey?" said the old lady; so Mrs. Pepper had to go all over it again, till at last she made her understand that Polly's eyes were taken careof, and they must wait for time to do the rest. 

"You come along of me, " whispered grandma, when at last her call wasdone, to Joel who stood by the door. "I've got some peppermints to home;I forgot to bring 'em. "

"Yes'm, " said Joel, brightening up. 

"Where you going, Joe?" asked Mrs. Pepper, seeing him move off with Mrs. Bascom; "I may want you. "

"Oh, I've got to go over to grandma's, " said Joel briskly; "she wantsme. "

"Well, don't be gone long then, " replied his mother. 

"There, " said grandma, going into her "keeping-room" to an old-fashionedchest of drawers; opening one, she took therefrom a paper, from whichshe shook out before Joe's delighted eyes some red and white peppermintdrops. "There now, you take these home; you may have some, but besure you give the most to the sick ones; and Polly--let Polly have thebiggest. "

"She won't take 'em, " said Joel, wishing he had the measles. "Well, youtry her, " said grandma; "run along now. " But it was useless to tell Joelthat, for he was half-way home already. He carried out grandma's wishes, and distributed conscientiously the precious drops. But when he came toPolly, she didn't answer; and looking at her in surprise he saw two bigtears rolling out under the bandage and wetting the pillow. 

"I don't want 'em, Joe, " said Polly, when he made her understand that"twas peppermints, real peppermints;" "you may have 'em. "

"Try one, Polly; they're real good, " said Joel, who had an undefinedwish to comfort; "there, open your mouth. "

So Polly opened her mouth, and Joel put one in with satisfaction. 

"Isn't it good?" he asked, watching her crunch it. 

"Yes, " said Polly, "real good; where'd you get 'em?"

"Over to Grandma Bascom's, " said Joel; "she gave me lots for all of us;have another, Polly?"

"No, " said Polly, "not yet; you put two on my pillow where I can reach'em; and then you keep the rest, Joel. "

"I'll put three, " said Joel, counting out one red and two white ones, and laying them on the pillow; "there!"

"And I want another, Joey, I do, " said Phronsie from the other side ofthe bed. 

"Well, you may have one, " said Joel; "a red one, Phronsie; yes, you mayhave two. Now come on, Dave; we'll have the rest out by the wood-pile. "

How they ever got through that day, I don't know. But late in theafternoon carriage wheels were heard; and then they stopped right at thePeppers' little brown gate. 

"Polly, " said Mrs. Pepper, running to the bedroom door, "it's Mrs. Henderson!"

"Is it?" said Polly, from the darkened room, "oh! I'm so glad! is MissJerushy with her?" she asked, fearfully. 

"No, " said Mrs. Pepper, going back to ascertain; "why, it's the parsonhimself! Deary! how we look!"

"Never mind, mammy, " called back Polly, longing to spring out of bed andfix up a bit. 

"I'm sorry to hear the children are sick, " said Mrs. Henderson, comingin, in her sweet, gentle way. 

"We didn't know it, " said the minister, "until this morning--can we seethem?"

"Oh yes, sir, " said Mrs. Pepper; "Ben's upstairs; and Polly and Phronsieare in here. "

"Poor little things!" said Mrs. Henderson, compassionately; "hadn't youbetter, " turning to the minister, "go up and see Ben first, while I willvisit the little girls?"

So the minister mounted the crooked stairs; and Mrs. Henderson wentstraight up to Polly's side; and the first thing Polly knew, a cool, gentle hand was laid on her hot head, and a voice said, "I've come tosee my little chicken now!"

"Oh, ma'am, " said Polly, bursting into a sob, "I don't care about myeyes--only mammy--" and she broke right down. 

"I know, " said the minister's wife, soothingly; "but it's for you tobear patiently, Polly--what do you suppose the chicks were doing when Icame away?" And Mrs. Henderson, while she held Polly's hand, smiled andnodded encouragingly to Phronsie, who was staring at her from the otherside of the bed. 

"I don't know, ma'am, " said Polly; "please tell us. "

"Well, they were all fighting over a grasshopper--yes, ten of them. "

"Which one got it?" asked Polly in intense interest; "oh! I hope thewhite one did!"

"Well, he looked as much like winning as any of them, " said the lady, laughing. 

"Bless her!" thought Mrs. Pepper to herself out in the kitchen, finishing the sack Polly had left; "she's a parson's wife, I say!"

And then the minister came down from Ben's room, and went into thebedroom; and Mrs. Henderson went up-stairs into the loft. 

"So, " he said kindly, as after patting Phronsie's head he came over andsat down by Polly, "this is the little girl who came to see me when Iwas sick. "

"Oh, sir, " said Polly, "I'm so glad you wasn't!"

"Well, when I come again, " said Mr. Henderson, rising after a merrychat, "I see I shall have to slip a book into my pocket, and read forthose poor eyes. "

"Oh, thank you!" cried Polly; and then she stopped and blushed. 

"Well, what is it?" asked the minister, encouragingly. 

"Ben loves to hear reading, " said Polly. 

"Does he? well, by that time, my little girl, I guess Ben will bedown-stairs; he's all right, Polly; don't you worry about him--and I'llsit in the kitchen, by the bedroom door, and you can hear nicely. "

So the Hendersons went away. But somehow, before they went, a good manythings found their way out of the old-fashioned chaise into the Peppers'little kitchen. 

But Polly's eyes didn't get any better, with all the care; and the linesof worry on Mrs. Pepper's face grew deeper and deeper. At last, she justconfronted Dr. Fisher in the kitchen, one day after his visit to Polly, and boldly asked him if they ever could be cured. "I know she's--andthere isn't any use keeping it from me, " said the poor woman--"she'sgoing to be stone-blind!"

"My good woman, " Dr. Fisher's voice was very gentle; and he took thehard, brown hand in his own--"your little girl will not be blind; Itell you the truth; but it will take some time to make her eyes quitestrong--time, and rest. She has strained them in some way, but she willcome out of it. "

"Praise the Lord!" cried Mrs. Pepper, throwing her apron over herhead; and then she sobbed on, "and thank you, sir--I can't ever thankyou--for--for--if Polly was blind, we might as well give up!"

The next day, Phronsie, who had the doctor's permission to sit up, onlyshe was to be kept from taking cold, scampered around in stocking-feetin search of her shoes, which she hadn't seen since she was first takensick. 

"Oh, I want on my very best shoes, " she cried; "can't I, mammy?"

"Oh, no, Phronsie; you must keep them nice, " remonstrated her mother;"you can't wear 'em every-day, you know. "

"'Tisn't every-day, " said Phronsie, slowly; "it's only one day. "

"Well, and then you'll want 'em on again tomorrow, " said her mother. 

"Oh, no, I won't!" cried Phronsie; "never, no more to-morrow, if I canhave 'em to-day; please, mammy dear!"

Mrs. Pepper went to the lowest drawer in the high bureau, and tooktherefrom a small parcel done up in white tissue paper. Slowly unrollingthis before the delighted eyes of the child, who stood patientlywaiting, she disclosed the precious red-topped shoes which Phronsieimmediately clasped to her bosom. 

"My own, very own shoes! whole mine!" she cried, and trudged out intothe kitchen to put them on herself. 

"Hulloa!" cried Dr. Fisher, coming in about a quarter of an hour laterto find her tugging laboriously at the buttons--"new shoes! I declare!"

"My own!" cried Phronsie, sticking out one foot for inspection, whereevery button was in the wrong button-hole, "and they've got red tops, too!"

"So they have, " said the doctor, getting down on the floor beside her;"beautiful red tops, aren't they?"

"Be-yew-ti-ful, " sang the child delightedly. 

"Does Polly have new shoes every day?" asked the doctor in a low voice, pretending to examine the other foot. 

Phronsie opened her eyes very wide at this. 

"Oh, no, she don't have anything, Polly don't. "

"And what does Polly want most of all--do you know? see if you can tellme. " And the doctor put on the most alluring expression that he couldmuster. 

"Oh, I know!" cried Phronsie, with a very wise look. "There now, " criedthe doctor, "you're the girl for me! to think you know! so, what is it?"

Phronsie got up very gravely, and with one shoe half on, she leaned overand whispered in the doctor's ear:

"A stove!"

"A what?" said the doctor, looking at her, and then at the old, blackthing in the corner, that looked as if it were ashamed of itself; "why, she's got one. "

"Oh, " said the child, "it won't burn; and sometimes Polly cries, shedoes, when she's all alone--and I see her. "

"Now, " said the doctor, very sympathetically, "that's too bad; that is!and then what does she do?"

"Oh, Ben stuffs it up, " said the child, laughing; "and so does Pollytoo, with paper; and then it all tumbles out quick; oh! just as quick!"And Phronsie shook her yellow head at the dismal remembrance. 

"Do you suppose, " said the doctor, getting up, "that you know of anysmart little girl around here, about four years old and that knows howto button on her own red-topped shoes, that would like to go to rideto-morrow morning in my carriage with me?

"Oh, I do!" cried Phronsie, hopping on one toe; "it's me!"

"Very well, then, " said Dr. Fisher, going to the bedroom door, "we'lllookout for to-morrow, then. "

To poor Polly, lying in the darkened room, or sitting up in the bigrocking-chair--for Polly wasn't really very sick in other respects, the disease having all gone into the merry brown eyes--the time seemedinterminable. Not to do anything! The very idea at any time would havefilled her active, wide-awake little body with horror; and now, here shewas!

"Oh, dear, I can't bear it!" she said, when she knew by the noise in thekitchen that everybody was out there; so nobody heard, except a fat, oldblack spider in the corner, and he didn't tell anyone!

"I know it's a week, " she said, "since dinnertime! If Ben were onlywell, to talk to me. "

"Oh, I say, Polly, " screamed Joel at that moment running in, "Ben'sa-comin' down the stairs!"

"Stop, Joe, " said Mrs. Pepper; "you shouldn't have told; he wanted tosurprise Polly. "

"Oh, is he!" cried Polly, clasping her hands in rapture; "mammy, can't Itake off this horrid bandage, and see him?"

"Dear me, no!" said Mrs. Pepper, springing forward; "not for the world, Polly! Dr. Fisher'd have our ears off!"

"Well, I can hear, any way, " said Polly, resigning herself to theremaining comfort; "here he is! oh, Ben!"

"There, " said Ben, grasping Polly, bandage and all; "now we're allright; and say, Polly, you're a brick!"

"Mammy told me not to say that the other day, " said Joel, with a veryvirtuous air. 

"Can't help it, " said Ben, who was a little wild over Polly, andbesides, he had been sick himself, and had borne a good deal too. 

"Now, " said Mrs. Pepper, after the first excitement was over, "you'reso comfortable together, and Phronsie don't want me now, I'll go to thestore; I must get some more work if Mr. Atkins'll give it to me. "

"I'll be all right now, mammy, that Ben's here, " cried Polly, settlingback into her chair, with Phronsie on the stool at her feet. 

"I'm goin' to tell her stories, ma, " cried Ben, "so you needn't worryabout us. "

"Isn't it funny, Ben, " said Polly, as the gate clicked after the mother, "to be sitting still, and telling stories in the daytime?"

"Rather funny!" replied Ben. 

"Well, do go on, " said Joel, as usual, rolling on the floor, in adreadful hurry for the story to begin. Little David looked up quietly, as he sat on Ben's other side, his hands clasped tight together, just aseager, though he said nothing. 

"Well; once upon a time, " began Ben delightfully, and launched into oneof the stories that the children thought perfectly lovely. 

"Oh, Bensie, " cried Polly, entranced, as they listened with batedbreath, "however do you think of such nice things!"

"I've had time enough to think, the last week, " said Ben, laughing, "tolast a life-time!"

"Do go on, " put in Joel, impatient at the delay. 

"Don't hurry him so, " said Polly, reprovingly; "he isn't strong. "

"Ben, " said David, drawing a long breath, his eyes very big--, "did hereally see a bear?"

"No, " said Ben; "oh! where was I?"

"Why, you said Tommy heard a noise, " said Polly, "and he thought it wasa bear. "

"Oh, yes, " said Ben; "I remember; 'twasn't a--"

"Oh, make it a bear, Ben!" cried Joel, terribly disappointed; "don't letit be not a bear. "

"Why, I can't, " said Ben; "twouldn't sound true. "

"Never mind, make it sound true, " insisted Joel; "you can make anythingtrue. "

"Very well, " said Ben, laughing; "I suppose I must. "

"Make it two bears, Ben, " begged little Phronsie. 

"Oh, no, Phronsie, that's too much, " cried Joel; "that'll spoil it; butmake it a big bear, do Ben, and have him bite him somewhere, and mostkill him. "

"Oh, Joel!" cried Polly, while David's eyes got bigger than ever. 

So Ben drew upon his powers as story-teller, to suit his exactingaudience, and was making his bear work havoc upon poor Tommy in a waycaptivating to all, even Joel, when, "Well, I declare, " sounded Mrs. Pepper's cheery voice coming in upon them, "if this isn't comfortable!"

"Oh, mammy!" cried Phronsie, jumping out of Polly's arms, whither shehad taken refuge during the thrilling tale, and running to her motherwho gathered her baby up, "we've had a bear! a real, live bear, we have!Ben made him!"

"Have you!" said Mrs. Pepper, taking off her shawl, and laying herparcel of work down on the table, "now, that's nice!"

"Oh, mammy!" cried Polly, "it does seem so good to be all togetheragain!"

"And I thank the Lord!" said Mrs. Pepper, looking down on her happylittle group; and the tears were in her eyes--"and children, we ought tobe very good and please Him, for He's been so good to us. "

THE CLOUD OVER THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE

When Phronsie, with many crows of delight, and much chattering, hadgotten fairly started the following morning on her much-anticipateddrive with the doctor, the whole family excepting Polly drawn up aroundthe door to see them off, Mrs. Pepper resolved to snatch the time andrun down for an hour or two to one of her customers who had long beenwaiting for a little "tailoring" to be done for her boys. 

"Now, Joel, " she said, putting on her bonnet before the crackedlooking-glass, "you stay along of Polly; Ben must go up to bed, thedoctor said; and Davie's going to the store for some molasses; so youand Polly must keep house. "

"Yes'm, " said Joel; "may I have somethin' to eat, ma?"

"Yes, " said Mrs. Pepper; "but don't you eat the new bread; you may haveas much as you want of the old. "

"Isn't there any molasses, mammy?" asked Joel, as she bade Pollygood-bye! and gave her numberless charges "to be careful of your eyes, "and "not to let a crack of light in through the curtain, " as the oldgreen paper shade was called. 

"No; if you're very hungry, you can eat bread, " said Mrs. Pepper, sensibly. 

"Joel, " said Polly, after the mother had gone, "I do wish you could readto me. "

"Well, I can't, " said Joel, glad he didn't know how; "I thought theminister was comin'. "

"Well, he was, " said Polly, "but mammy said he had to go out of town toa consequence. "

"A what!" asked Joel, very much impressed. 

"A con--" repeated Polly. "Well, it began with a con--and I amsure--yes, very sure it was consequence. "

"That must be splendid, " said Joel, coming up to her chair, andslowly drawing a string he held in his hand back and forth, "to go toconsequences, and everything! When I'm a man, Polly Pepper, I'm going tobe a minister, and have a nice time, and go--just everywhere!"

"Oh, Joel!" exclaimed Polly, quite shocked; "you couldn't be one; youaren't good enough. "

"I don't care, " said Joel, not at all dashed by her plainness, "I'll begood then--when I'm a big man; don't you suppose, Polly, " as a new ideastruck him, "that Mr. Henderson ever is naughty?"

"No, " said Polly, very decidedly; "never, never, never!"

"Then, I don't want to be one, " said Joel, veering round with a sigh ofrelief, "and besides I'd rather have a pair of horses like Mr. Slocum's, and then I could go everywheres, I guess!"

"And sell tin?" asked Polly, "just like Mr. Slocum?"

"Yes, " said Joel; "this is the way I'd go--Gee-whop! gee-whoa!" and Joelpranced with his imaginary steeds all around the room, making about asmuch noise as any other four boys, as he brought up occasionally againstthe four-poster or the high old bureau. 

"Well!" said a voice close up by Polly's chair, that made her skip withapprehension, it was so like Miss Jerusha Henderson's--Joel was whoopingaway behind the bedstead to his horses that had become seriouslyentangled, so he didn't hear anything. But when Polly said, bashfully, "I can't see anything, ma'am, " he came up red and shining to thesurface, and stared with all his might. 

"I came to see you, little girl, " said Miss Jerusha severely, seatingherself stiffly by Polly's side. 

"Thank you, ma'am, " said Polly, faintly. 

"Who's this boy?" asked the lady, turning around squarely on Joel, andeying him from head to foot. 

"He's my brother Joel, " said Polly. 

Joel still stared. 

"Which brother?" pursued Miss Jerusha, like a census-taker. 

"He is next to me, " said Polly, wishing her mother was home; "he's nine, Joel is. "

"He's big enough to do something to help his mother, " said MissJerusha, looking him through and through. "Don't you think you might dosomething, when the others are sick, and your poor mother is working sohard?" she continued, in a cold voice. 

"I do something, " blurted out Joel, sturdily, "lots and lots!"

"You shouldn't say 'lots, " reproved Miss Jerusha, with a sharp look overher spectacles, "tisn't proper for boys to talk so; what do you do allday long?" she asked, turning back to Polly, after a withering glance atJoel, who still stared. 

"I can't do anything, ma'am, " replied Polly, sadly, "I can't see to doanything. "

"Well, you might knit, I should think, " said her visitor, "it's dreadfulfor a girl as big as you are to sit all day idle; I had sore eyes oncewhen I was a little girl--how old are you?" she asked, abruptly. 

"Eleven last month, " said Polly. 

"Well, I wasn't only nine when I knit a stocking; and I had sore eyes, too; you see I was a very little girl, and--"

"Was you ever little?" interrupted Joel, in extreme incredulity, drawingnear, and looking over the big square figure. 

"Hey?" said Miss Jerusha; so Joel repeated his question before Pollycould stop him. 

"Of course, " answered Miss Jerusha; and then she added, tartly, "littleboys shouldn't speak unless they're spoken to. Now, " and she turned backto Polly again, "didn't you ever knit a stocking?"

"No, ma'am, " said Polly, "not a whole one. "

"Dear me!" exclaimed Miss Jerusha; "did I ever!" And she raised herblack mitts in intense disdain. "A big girl like you never to knit astocking! to think your mother should bring you up so! and--"

"She didn't bring us up, " screamed Joel, in indignation, facing her withblazing eyes. 

"Joel, " said Polly, "be still. "

"And you're very impertinent, too, " said Miss Jerusha; "a good childnever is impertinent. "

Polly sat quite still; and Miss Jerusha continued:

"Now, I hope you will learn to be industrious; and when I come again, Iwill see what you have done. "

"You aren't ever coming again, " said Joel, defiantly; "no, never!"

"Joel!" implored Polly, and in her distress she pulled up her bandageas she looked at him; "you know mammy'll be so sorry at you! Oh, ma'am, and" she turned to Miss Jerusha, who was now thoroughly aroused to theduty she saw before her of doing these children good, "I don't know whatis the reason, ma'am; Joel never talks so; he's real good; and--"

"It only shows, " said the lady, seeing her way quite clear for a littleexhortation, "that you've all had your own way from infancy; and thatyou don't do what you might to make your mother's life a happy one. "

"Oh, ma'am, " cried Polly, and she burst into a flood of tears, "please, please don't say that!"

"And I say, " screamed Joel, stamping his small foot, "if you make Pollycry you'll kill her! Don't Polly, don't!" and the boy put both armsaround her neck, and soothed and comforted her in every way he couldthink of. And Miss Jerusha, seeing no way to make herself heard, disappeared feeling pity for children who would turn away from goodadvice. 

But still Polly cried on; all the pent-up feelings that had been so longcontrolled had free vent now. She really couldn't stop! Joel, frightenedto death, at last said, "I'm going to wake up Ben. "

That brought Polly to; and she sobbed out, "Oh, no, Jo--ey--I'll stop. "

"I will, " said Joel, seeing his advantage; "I'm going, Polly, " and hestarted to the foot of the stairs. 

"No, I'm done now, Joe, " said Polly, wiping her eyes, and choking backher thoughts--"oh, Joe! I must scream! my eyes aches so!" and poor Pollyfairly writhed all over the chair. 

"What'll I do?" said Joel, at his wits' end, running back, "do you wantsome water?"

"Oh, no, " gasped Polly; "doctor wouldn't let me; oh! I wish mammy'dcome!"

"I'll go and look for her, " suggested Joel, feeling as if he must dosomething; and he'd rather be out at the gate, than to see Polly suffer. 

"That won't bring her, " said Polly; trying to keep still; "I'll try towait. "

"Here she is now!" cried Joel, peeping out of the window; "oh! goody!"

JOEL'S TURN

"Well, " Mrs. Pepper's tone was unusually blithe as she stepped into thekitchen--"you've had a nice time, I suppose--what in the world!" and shestopped at the bedroom door. 

"Oh, mammy, if you'd been here!" said Joel, while Polly sat still, onlyholding on to her eyes as if they were going to fly out; "there's beena big woman here; she came right in--and she talked awfully! and Polly'sbeen a-cryin', and her eyes ache dreadfully--and--"

"Been crying!" repeated Mrs. Pepper, coming up to poor Polly. "Pollybeen crying!" she still repeated. 

"Oh, mammy, I couldn't help it, " said Polly; "she said--" and in spiteof all she could do, the rain of tears began again, which bade fair tobe as uncontrolled as before. But Mrs. Pepper took her up firmly in herarms, as if she were Phronsie, and sat down in the old rocking-chair andjust patted her back. 

"There, there, " she whispered, soothingly, "don't think of it, Polly;mother's got home. "

"Oh, mammy, " said Polly, crawling up to the comfortable neck forprotection, "I ought not to mind; but 'twas Miss Jerusha Henderson; andshe said--"

"What did she say?" asked Mrs. Pepper, thinking perhaps it to be thewiser thing to let Polly free her mind. 

"Oh, she said that we ought to be doing something; and I ought to knit, and--"

"Go on, " said her mother. 

"And then Joel got naughty; oh, mammy, he never did so before; and Icouldn't stop him, " cried Polly, in great distress; "I really couldn't, mammy--and he talked to her; and he told her she wasn't ever coming hereagain. "

"Joel shouldn't have said that, " said Mrs. Pepper, and under her breathsomething was added that Polly even failed to hear--"but no more sheisn't!"

"And, mammy, " cried Polly--and she flung her arms around her mother'sneck and gave her a grasp that nearly choked Mrs. Pepper, "ain't Ihelpin' you some, mammy? Oh! I wish I could do something big for you?Ain't you happy, mammy?"

"For the land's sakes!" cried Mrs. Pepper, straining Polly to her heart, "whatever has that woman--whatever could she have said to you? Such agirl as you are, too!" cried Mrs. Pepper, hugging Polly, and coveringher with kisses so tender, that Polly, warmed and cuddled up to herheart's content, was comforted to the full. 

"Well, " said Mrs. Pepper, when at last she thought she had formedbetween Polly and Joel about the right idea of the visit, "well, now wewon't think of it, ever any more; 'tisn't worth it, Polly, you know. "

But poor Polly! and poor mother! They both were obliged to think of it. Nothing could avert the suffering of the next few days, caused by thatlong flow of burning tears. 

"Nothing feels good on 'em, mammy, " said Polly, at last, twisting herhands in the vain attempt to keep from rubbing the aching, inflamed eyesthat drove her nearly wild with their itching, "there isn't any use intrying anything. "

"There will be use, " energetically protested Mrs. Pepper, bringinganother cool bandage, "as long as you've got an eye in your head, PollyPepper!"

Dr. Fisher's face, when he first saw the change that the fateful visithad wrought, and heard the accounts, was very grave indeed. Everythinghad been so encouraging on his last visit, that he had come very nearpromising Polly speedy freedom from the hateful bandage. 

But the little Pepper household soon had something else to think of moreimportant even than Polly's eyes, for now the heartiest, the jolliestof all the little group was down--Joel. How he fell sick, they scarcelyknew, it all came so suddenly. The poor, bewildered family had hardlytime to think, before delirium and, perhaps, death stared them in theface. 

When Polly first heard it, by Phronsie's pattering downstairs andscreaming: "Oh, Polly, Joey's dre-ad-ful sick, he is!" she jumped rightup, and tore off the bandage. 

"Now, I will help mother! I will, so there!" and in another minute shewould have been up in the sick room. But the first thing she knew, agentle but firm hand was laid upon hers; and she found herself backagain in the old rocking-chair, and listening to the Doctor's wordswhich were quite stern and decisive. 

"Now, I tell you, " he said, "you must not take off that bandage again;do you know the consequences? You will be blind! and then you will be acare to your mother all your life!"

"I shall be blind, anyway, " said Polly, despairingly; "so 'twon't makeany difference. "

"No; your eyes will come out of it all right, only I did hope, " and thegood doctor's face fell--"that the other two boys would escape; but, "and he brightened up at sight of Polly's forlorn visage--"see you doyour part by keeping still. "

But there came a day soon when everything was still around the oncehappy little brown house--when only whispers were heard from white lips;and thoughts were fearfully left unuttered. 

On the morning of one of these days, when Mrs. Pepper felt she could notexist an hour longer without sleep, kind Mrs. Beebe came to stay untilthings were either better or worse. 

Still the cloud hovered, dark and forbidding. At last, one afternoon, when Polly was all alone, she could endure it no longer. She flungherself down by the side of the old bed, and buried her face in the gaypatched bed-quilt. 

"Dear God, " she said, "make me willing to have anything, " shehesitated--"yes, anything happen; to be blind forever, and to have Joeysick, only make me good. "

How long she staid there she never knew; for she fell asleep--the firstsleep she had had since Joey was taken sick. And little Mrs. Beebecoming in found her thus. 

"Polly, " the good woman said, leaning over her, "you poor, prettycreeter, you; I'm goin' to tell you somethin'--there, there, just tothink! Joel's goin' to get well!"

"Oh, Mrs. Beebe!" cried Polly, tumbling over in a heap on the floor, herface, as much as could be seen under the bandage, in a perfect glow, "Ishe, really?"

"Yes, to be sure; the danger's all over now, " said the little old lady, inwardly thinking--"If I hadn't a-come!"

"Well, then, the Lord wants him to, " cried Polly, in rapture; "don't he, Mrs. Beebe?"

"To be sure--to be sure, " repeated the kind friend, only halfunderstanding. 

"Well, I don't care about my eyes, then, " cried Polly; and to Mrs. Beebe's intense astonishment and dismay, she spun round and round in themiddle of the floor. 

"Oh, Polly, Polly!" the little old lady cried, running up to her, "dostop! the doctor wouldn't let you! he wouldn't really, you know! it'llall go to your eyes. "

"I don't care, " repeated Polly, in the middle of a spin; but shestopped obediently; "seems as if I just as soon be blind as not; it's sobeautiful Joey's going to get well!"

SUNSHINE AGAIN

But as Joel was smitten down suddenly, so he came up quickly, and hishearty nature asserted itself by rapid strides toward returning health;and one morning he astonished them all by turning over suddenly andexclaiming:

"I want something to eat!"

"Bless the Lord!" cried Mrs. Pepper, "now he's going to live!"

"But he mustn't eat, " protested Mrs. Beebe, in great alarm, trotting forthe cup of gruel. "Here, you pretty creeter you, here's something nice. "And she temptingly held the spoon over Joel's mouth; but with a grimacehe turned away. 

"Oh, I want something to eat! some gingerbread or some bread andbutter. "

"Dear me!" ejaculated Mrs. Beebe. "Gingerbread!" Poor Mrs. Pepper sawthe hardest part of her trouble now before her, as she realized that thereturning appetite must be fed only on strengthening food; for where itwas to come from she couldn't tell. 

"The Lord only knows where we'll get it, " she groaned within herself. 

Yes, He knew. A rap at the door, and little David ran down to find thecause. 

"Oh, mammy, " he said, "Mrs. Henderson sent it--see! see!" And in thegreatest excitement he placed in her lap a basket that smelt savory andnice even before it was opened. When it was opened, there lay a littlebird delicately roasted, and folded in a clean napkin; also a glass ofjelly, crimson and clear. 

"Oh, Joey, " cried Mrs. Pepper, almost overwhelmed with joy, "see whatMrs. Henderson sent you! now you can eat fit for a king!"

That little bird certainly performed its mission in life; for as Mrs. Beebe said, "It just touched the spot!" and from that very moment Joelimproved so rapidly they could hardly believe their eyes. 

"Hoh! I haven't been sick!" he cried on the third day, true to hisnature. "Mammy, I want to get up. "

"Oh, dear, no! you mustn't, Joel, " cried Mrs. Pepper in a fright, running up to him as he was preparing to give the bedclothes a lustykick; "you'll send 'em in. "

"Send what in?" asked Joel, looking up at his mother in terror, as thedreadful thought made him pause. 

"Why, the measles, Joey; they'll all go in if you get out. "

"How they goin' to get in again, I'd like to know?" asked Joel, lookingat the little red spots on his hands in incredulity; say, ma!

"Well, they will, " said his mother, "as you'll find to your sorrow ifyou get out of bed. "

"Oh, dear, " said Joel, beginning to whimper, as he drew into bed again, "when can I get up, mammy!"

"Oh, in a day or two, " responded Mrs. Pepper, cheerfully; "you'regetting on so finely you'll be as smart as a cricket! Shouldn't yousay he might get up in a day or two, Mrs. Beebe?" she appealed to thatindividual who was knitting away cheerily in the corner. 

"Well, if he keeps on as he's begun, I shouldn't know what to think, "replied Mrs. Beebe. "It beats all how quick he's picked up. I never seeanything like it, I'm sure!"

And as Mrs. Beebe was a great authority in sickness, the old, sunnycheeriness began to creep into the brown house once more, and to bubbleover as of yore. 

"Seems as if 'twas just good to live, " said Mrs. Pepper, thankfullyonce, when her thoughts were too much for her. "I don't believe I shallever care how poor we are, " she continued, "as long as we're together. "

"And that's just what the Lord meant, maybe, " replied good Mrs. Beebe, who was preparing to go home. 

Joel kept the house in a perfect uproar all through his getting well. Mrs. Pepper observed one day, when he had been more turbulent thanusual, that she was "almost worn to a thread. "

"Twasn't anything to take care of you, Joe, " she added, "when you werereal sick, because then I knew where you were; but--well, you won't everhave the measles again, I s'pose, and that's some comfort!"

Little David, who had been nearly stunned by the sickness that had laidaside his almost constant companion, could express his satisfaction andjoy in no other way than by running every third minute and begging to dosomething for him. And Joel, who loved dearly to be waited on, improvedevery opportunity that offered; which Mrs. Pepper observing, soon put astop to. 

"You'll run his legs off, Joel, " at last she said, when he sent Davidthe third time down to the wood-pile for a stick of just the exactthickness, and which the little messenger declared wasn't to be found. "Haven't you any mercy? You've kept him going all day, too, " she added, glancing at David's pale face. 

"Oh, mammy, " panted David, "don't; I love to go. Here Joe, is the best Icould find, " handing him a nice smooth stick. 

"I know you do, " said his mother; "but Joe's getting better now, and hemust learn to spare you. "

"I don't want to spare folks, " grumbled Joel, whittling away withenergy; "I've been sick--real sick, " he added, lifting his chubby faceto his mother to impress the fact. 

"I know you have, " she cried, running to kiss her boy; "but now, Joe, you're most well. To-morrow I'm going to let you go down-stairs; what doyou think of that!"

"Hooray!" screamed Joel, throwing away the stick and clapping his hands, forgetting all about his serious illness, "that'll be prime!"

"Aren't you too sick to go, Joey?" asked Mrs. Pepper, mischievously. 

"No, I'm not sick, " cried Joel, in the greatest alarm, fearful hismother meant to take back the promise; "I've never been sick. Oh, mammy!you know you'll let me go, won't your?"

"I guess so, " laughed his mother. 

"Come on, Phron, " cried Joel, giving her a whirl. 

David, who was too tired for active sport, sat on the floor and watchedthem frolic in great delight. 

"Mammy, " said he, edging up to her side as the sport went on, "do youknow, I think it's just good--it's--oh, it's so frisky since Joe gotwell, isn't it, mammy?"

"Yes, indeed, " said Mrs. Pepper, giving him a radiant look in return forhis; "and when Polly's around again with her two eyes all right--well, Idon't know what we shall do, I declare!"

"Boo!" cried a voice, next morning, close to Polly's elbow, unmistakablyJoel's. 

"Oh, Joel Pepper!" she cried, whirling around, "is that really you!"

"Yes, " cried that individual, confidently, "it's I; oh, I say, Polly, I've had fun up-stairs, I tell you what!"

"Poor boy!" said Polly, compassionately. 

"I wasn't a poor boy, " cried Joel, indignantly; "I had splendid thingsto eat; oh, my!" and he closed one eye and smacked his lips in thedelightful memory. 

"I know it, " said Polly, "and I'm so glad, Joel. "

"I don't suppose I'll ever get so many again, " observed Joel, reflectively, after a minute's pause, as one and another of the wondrousdelicacies rose before his mind's eye; "not unless I have the measlesagain--say, Polly, can't I have 'em again?"

"Mercy, no!" cried Polly, in intense alarm, "I hope not. "

"Well, I don't, " said Joel, "I wish I could have 'em sixty--no--twohundred times, so there!"

"Well, mammy couldn't take care of you, " said Ben; "you don't know whatyou're sayin', Joe. "

"Well, then, I wish I could have the things without the measles, " saidJoel, willing to accommodate; "only folks won't send 'em, " he added, inan injured tone. 

"Polly's had the hardest time of all, " said her mother, affectionatelypatting the bandage. 

"I think so too, " put in Ben; "if my eyes were hurt I'd give up. "

"So would I, " said David; and Joel, to be in the fashion, cried also, "Iknow I would;" while little Phronsie squeezed up to Polly's side, "AndI, too. "

"Would what, Puss?" asked Ben, tossing her up high. "Have good things, "cried the child, in delight at understanding the others, "I wouldreally, Ben, " she cried, gravely, when they all screamed. 

"Well, I hope so, " said Ben, tossing her higher yet. "Don't laugh ather, boys, " put in Polly; "we're all going to have good times now, Phronsie, now we've got well. "

"Yes, " laughed the child from her high perch; "we aren't ever goin' tobe sick again, ever--any more, " she added impressively. 

The good times were coming for Polly--coming pretty near, and shedidn't know it! All the children were in the secret; for as Mrs. Pepperdeclared, "They'd have to know it; and if they were let into the secretthey'd keep it better. "

So they had individually and collectively been intrusted with theprecious secret, and charged with the extreme importance of "neverletting any one know, " and they had been nearly bursting ever since withthe wild desire to impart their knowledge. 

"I'm afraid I shall tell, " said David, running to his mother at last;"oh, mammy, I don't dare stay near Polly, I do want to tell so bad. "

"Oh, no, you won't, David, " said his mother encouragingly, "when youknow mother don't want you to; and besides, think how Polly'll look whenshe sees it. "

"I know, " cried David in the greatest rapture, "I wouldn't tell for allthe world! I guess she'll look nice, don't you mother?" and he laughedin glee at the thought. 

"Poor child! I guess she will!" and then Mrs. Pepper laughed too, tillthe little old kitchen rang with delight at the accustomed sound. 

The children all had to play "clap in and clap out" in the bedroom whileit came; and "stage coach, " too--"anything to make a noise, " Ben said. And then after they got nicely started in the game, he would be missingto help about the mysterious thing in the kitchen, which was safe sincePolly couldn't see him go on account of her bandage. So she didn'tsuspect in the least. And although the rest were almost dying to beout in the kitchen, they conscientiously stuck to their bargain to keepPolly occupied. Only Joel would open the door and peep once; and thenPhronsie behind him began. "Oh, I see the sto----" but David swoopeddown on her in a twinkling, and smothered the rest by tickling her. 

Once they came very near having the whole thing pop out. "Whatever isthat noise in the kitchen?" asked Polly, as they all stopped totake breath after the scuffle of "stage coach. " "It sounds just likegrating. "

"I'll go and see, " cried Joel, promptly; and then he flew out where hismother and Ben and two men were at work on a big, black thing in thecorner. The old stove, strange to say, was nowhere to be seen! Somethingelse stood in its place, a shiny, black affair, with a generous supplyof oven doors, and altogether such a comfortable, home-like look aboutit, as if it would say--"I'm going to make sunshine in this house!"

"Oh, Joel, " cried his mother, turning around on him with very blackhands, "you haven't told!"

"No, " said Joel, "but she's hearin' the noise, Polly is. "

"Hush!" said Ben, to one of the men. 

"We can't put it up without some noise, " the man replied, "but we'll beas still as we can. "

"Isn't it a big one, ma?" asked Joel, in the loudest of stage whispers, that Polly on the other side of the door couldn't have failed to hear ifPhronsie hadn't laughed just then. 

"Go back, Joe, do, " said Ben, "play tag--anything, " he implored, "we'llbe through in a few minutes. "

"It takes forever!" said Joel, disappearing within the bedroom door. Luckily for the secret, Phronsie just then ran a pin sticking up on thearm of the old chair, into her finger; and Polly, while comforting her, forgot to question Joel. And then the mother came in, and though she hadill-concealed hilarity in her voice, she kept chattering and bustlingaround with Polly's supper to such an extent that there was no chancefor a word to be got in. 

Next morning it seemed as if the "little brown house, " would turn insideout with joy. 

"Oh, mammy!" cried Polly, jumping into her arms the first thing, as Dr. Fisher untied the bandage, "my eyes are new! just the same as if I'djust got 'em! Don't they look different?" she asked, earnestly, runningto the cracked glass to see for herself. 

"No, " said Ben, "I hope not; the same brown ones, Polly. "

"Well, " said Polly, hugging first one and then another, "everybody looksdifferent through them, anyway. "

"Oh, " cried Joel, "come out into the kitchen, Polly; it's a great dealbetter out there. "

"May I?" asked Polly, who was in such a twitter looking at everythingthat she didn't know which way to turn. 

"Yes, " said the doctor, smiling at her. 

"Well, then, " sang Polly, "come mammy, we'll go first; isn't it justlovely--oh, MAMMY!" and Polly turned so very pale, and looked as if shewere going to tumble right over, that Mrs. Pepper grasped her arm indismay. 

"What is it?" she asked, pointing to the corner, while all the childrenstood round in the greatest excitement. 

"Why, " cried Phronsie, "it's a stove--don't you know, Polly?" But Pollygave one plunge across the room, and before anybody could think, she wasdown on her knees with her arms flung right around the big, black thing, and laughing and crying over it, all in the same breath!

And then they all took hold of hands and danced around it like wildlittle things; while Dr. Fisher stole out silently--and Mrs. Pepperlaughed till she wiped her eyes to see them go. 

"We aren't ever goin' to have any more burnt bread, " sang Polly, all outof breath. 

"Nor your back isn't goin' to break any more, " panted Ben, with a veryred face. 

"Hooray!" screamed Joel and David, to fill any pause that might occur, while Phronsie gurgled and laughed at everything just as it came along. And then they all danced and capered again; all but Polly, who wasdown before the precious stove examining and exploring into ovens andeverything that belonged to it. 

"Oh, ma, " she announced, coming up to Mrs. Pepper, who had been obligedto fly to her sewing again, and exhibiting a very crocky face and apair of extremely smutty hands, "it's most all ovens, and it's justsplendid!"

"I know it, " answered her mother, delighted in the joy of her child. "My! how black you are, Polly!"

"Oh, I wish, " cried Polly, as the thought struck her, "that Dr. Fishercould see it! Where did he go to, ma?"

"I guess Dr. Fisher has seen it before, " said Mrs. Pepper, and thenshe began to laugh. "You haven't ever asked where the stove came from, Polly. "

And to be sure, Polly had been so overwhelmed that if the stove hadreally dropped from the clouds it would have been small matter ofastonishment to her, as long as it had come; that was the main thing!

"Mammy, " said Polly, turning around slowly, with the stove-lifter in herhand, "did Dr. Fisher bring that stove?"

"He didn't exactly bring it, " answered her mother, "but I guess he knewsomething about it. "

"Oh, he's the splendidest, goodest man!" cried Polly, "that everbreathed! Did he really get us that stove?"

"Yes, " said Mrs. Pepper, "he would; I couldn't stop him. I don't knowhow he found out you wanted one so bad; but he said it must be kept as asurprise when your eyes got well. "

"And he saved my eyes!" cried Polly, full of gratitude. "I've got astove and two new eyes, mammy, just to think!"

"We ought to be good after all our mercies, " said Mrs. Pepperthankfully, looking around on her little group. Joel was engaged in thepleasing occupation of seeing how far he could run his head into thebiggest oven, and then pulling it out to exhibit its blackness, thusengrossing the others in a perfect hubbub. 

"I'm going to bake my doctor some little cakes, " declared Polly, whenthere was comparative quiet. 

"Do, Polly, " cried Joel, "and then leave one or two over. "

"No, " said Polly; "we can't have any, because these must be very nice. Mammy, can't I have some white on top, just once?" she pleaded. 

"I don't know, " dubiously replied Mrs. Pepper; "eggs are dreadful dear, and--"

"I don't care, " said Polly, recklessly; "I must just once for Dr. Fisher. "

"I tell you, Polly, " said Mrs. Pepper, "what you might do; you mightmake him some little apple tarts--most every one likes them, you know. "

"Well, " said Polly, with a sigh, "I s'pose they'll have to do; but sometime, mammy, I'm going to bake him a big cake, so there!"

A THREATENED BLOW

One day, a few weeks after, Mrs. Pepper and Polly were busy inthe kitchen. Phronsie was out in the "orchard, " as the one scraggyapple-tree was called by courtesy, singing her rag doll to sleep underits sheltering branches. But "Baby" was cross and wouldn't go to sleep, and Phronsie was on the point of giving up, and returning to the house, when a strain of music made her pause with dolly in her apron. Thereshe stood with her finger in her mouth, in utter astonishment, wonderingwhere the sweet sounds came from. 

"Oh, Phronsie!" screamed Polly, from the back door, "where are--oh, here, come quick! it's the beau-ti-fullest!"

"What is it?" eagerly asked the little one, hopping over the stubbygrass, leaving poor, discarded "Baby" on its snubby nose where itdropped in her hurry. 

"Oh, a monkey!" cried Polly; "do hurry! the sweetest little monkey youever saw!"

"What is a monkey?" asked Phronsie, skurrying after Polly to the gatewhere her mother was waiting for them. 

"Why, a monkey's--a--monkey, " explained Polly, "I don't know anybetter'n that. Here he is! Isn't he splendid!" and she lifted Phronsieup to the big post where she could see finely. 

"O-oh! ow!" screamed little Phronsie, "see him, Polly! just see him!"

A man with an organ was standing in the middle of the road playing awaywith all his might, and at the end of a long rope was a lively littlemonkey in a bright red coat and a smart cocked hat. The little creaturepulled off his hat, and with one long jump coming on the fence, he madePhronsie a most magnificent bow. Strange to say, the child wasn't in theleast frightened, but put out her little fat hand, speaking in gentletones, "Poor little monkey! come here, poor little monkey!"

Turning up his little wrinkled face, and glancing fearfully at hismaster, Jocko began to grimace and beg for something to eat. The manpulled the string and struck up a merry tune, and in a minute the monkeyspun around and around at such a lively pace, and put in so many queerantics that the little audience were fairly convulsed with laughter. 

"I can't pay you, " said Mrs. Pepper, wiping her eyes, when at last theman pulled up the strap whistling to Jocko to jump up, "but I'll giveyou something to eat; and the monkey, too, he shall have something forhis pains in amusing my children. "

The man looked very cross when she brought him out only brown bread andtwo cold potatoes. 

"Haven't you got nothin' better'n that?"

"It's as good as we have, " answered Mrs. Pepper. 

The man threw down the bread in the road. But Jocko thankfully ate hisshare, Polly and Phronsie busily feeding him; and then he turned andsnapped up the portion his master had left in the dusty road. 

Then they moved on, Mrs. Pepper and Polly going back to their work inthe kitchen. A little down the road the man struck up another tune. Phronsie who had started merrily to tell "Baby" all about it, stopped aminute to hear, and--she didn't go back to the orchard!

About two hours after, Polly said merrily:

"I'm going to call Phronsie in, mammy; she must be awfully tired andhungry by this time. "

She sang gayly on the way, "I'm coming, Phronsie, coming--why, where!--"peeping under the tree. 

"Baby" lay on its face disconsolately on the ground--and the orchard wasempty! Phronsie was gone!

"It's no use, " said Ben, to the distracted household and such of theneighbors as the news had brought hurriedly to the scene, "to look anymore around here--but somebody must go toward Hingham; he'd be likely togo that way. "

"No one could tell where he would go, " cried Polly, wringing her hands. 

"But he'd change, Ben, if he thought folks would think he'd gone there, "said Mrs. Pepper. 

"We must go all roads, " said Ben, firmly; "one must take the stage toBoxville, and I'll take Deacon Brown's wagon on the Hingham road, andsomebody else must go to Toad Hollow. "

"I'll go in the stage, " screamed Joel, who could scarcely see out of hiseyes, he had cried so; "I'll find--find her--I know. 

"Be spry, then, Joe, and catch it at the corner!"

Everybody soon knew that little Phronsie Pepper had gone off with "across organ man and an awful monkey!" and in the course of an hourdozens of people were out on the hot, dusty roads in search. 

"What's the matter?" asked a testy old gentleman in the stage, of Joelwho, in his anxiety to see both sides of the road at once, bobbed theold gentleman in the face so often as the stage lurched, that at last heknocked his hat over his eyes. 

"My sister's gone off with a monkey, " explained Joel, bobbing over tothe other side, as he thought he caught sight of something pink thathe felt sure must be Phronsie's apron. "Stop! stop! there she is!"he roared, and the driver, who had his instructions and was fully insympathy, pulled up so suddenly that the old gentleman flew over intothe opposite seat. 

"Where?"

But when they got up to it Joel saw that it was only a bit of pinkcalico flapping on a clothes-line; so he climbed back and away theyrumbled again. 

The others were having the same luck. No trace could be found of thechild. To Ben, who took the Hingham road, the minutes seemed like hours. 

"I won't go back, " he muttered, "until I take her. I can't see mother'sface!"

But the ten miles were nearly traversed; almost the last hope was gone. Into every thicket and lurking place by the road-side had he peered--butno Phronsie! Deacon Brown's horse began to lag. 

"Go on!" said Ben hoarsely; "oh, dear Lord, make me find her!"

The hot sun poured down on the boy's face, and he had no cap. What caredhe for that? On and on he went. Suddenly the horse stopped. Ben doubledup the reins to give him a cut, when "WHOA!" he roared so loud that thehorse in very astonishment gave a lurch that nearly flung him headlong. But he was over the wheel in a twinkling, and up with a bound to a smallthicket of scrubby bushes on a high hill by the road-side. Here lay alittle bundle on the ground, and close by it a big, black dog; and overthe whole, standing guard, was a boy a little bigger than Ben, withhonest gray eyes. And the bundle was Phronsie!

"Don't wake her up, " said the boy, warningly, as Ben, with a hungry lookin his eyes, leaped up the hill, "she's tired to death!"

"She's my sister!" cried Ben, "our Phronsie!"

"I know it, " said the boy kindly; "but I wouldn't wake her up yet if Iwere you. I'll tell you all about it, " and he took Ben's hand which wasas cold as ice. 

SAFE

"It's all right, Prince, " the boy added, encouragingly to the big dogwho, lifting his noble head, had turned two big eyes steadily on Ben. "He's all right! lie down again!"

Then, flinging himself down on the grass, he told Ben how he came torescue Phronsie. 

"Prince and I were out for a stroll, " said he. "I live over in Hingham, "pointing to the pretty little town just a short distance before them inthe hollow; "that is, " laughing, "I do this summer. Well, we were outstrolling along about a mile below here on the cross-road; and all of asudden, just as if they sprung right up out of the ground, I saw a manwith an organ, and a monkey, and a little girl, coming along the road. She was crying, and as soon as Prince saw that, he gave a growl, andthen the man saw us, and he looked so mean and cringing I knew theremust be something wrong, and I inquired of him what he was doing withthat little girl, and then she looked up and begged so with her eyes, and all of a sudden broke away from him and ran towards me screaming--'Iwant Polly!' Well, the man sprang after her; then I tell you--" here theboy forgot his caution about waking Phronsie--"we went for him, Princeand I! Prince is a noble fellow, " (here the dog's ears twitched veryperceptibly) "and he kept at that man; oh! how he bit him! till he hadto run for fear the monkey would get killed. "

"Was Phronsie frightened?" asked Ben; "she's never seen strangers. "

"Not a bit, " said the boy, cheerily; "she just clung to me likeeverything--I only wish she was my sister, " he added impulsively. 

"What were you going to do with her if I hadn't come along?" asked Ben. 

"Well, I got out on the main road, " said the boy, "because I thoughtanybody who had lost her, would probably come through this way; but ifsomebody hadn't come, I was going to carry her in to Hingham; and thefather and I'd had to contrive some way to do. "

"Well, " said Ben, as the boy finished and fastened his bright eyes onhim, "somebody did come along; and now I must get her home about as fastas I can for poor mammy--and Polly!"

"Yes, " said the boy, "I'll help you lift her; perhaps she won't wakeup. "

The big dog moved away a step or two, but still kept his eye onPhronsie. 

"There, " said the boy, brightly, as they laid the child on the wagonseat; "now when you get in you can hold her head; that's it, " he added, seeing them both fixed to his satisfaction. But still Ben lingered. 

"Thank you, " he tried to say. 

"I know, " laughed the boy; "only it's Prince instead of me, " and hepulled forward the big black creature, who had followed faithfully downthe hill to see the last of it. "To the front, sir, there! We're comingto see you, " he continued, "if you will let us--where do you live?"

"Do come, " said Ben, lighting up, for he was just feeling he couldn'tbear to look his last on the merry, honest face; "anybody'll tell youwhere Mrs. Pepper lives. "

"Is she a Pepper?" asked the boy, laughing, and pointing to theunconscious little heap in the wagon; "and are you a Pepper?"

"Yes, " said Ben, laughing too. "There are five of us besides mother. 

"Jolly! that's something like! Good-bye! Come on, Prince!" Then awayhome to mother! Phronsie never woke up or turned over once till she wasput, a little pink sleepy heap, into her mother's arms. Joel was there, crying bitterly at his forlorn search. The testy old gentleman in theseat opposite had relented and ordered the coach about and broughthim home in an outburst of grief when all hope was gone. And one afteranother they all had come back, disheartened, to the distracted mother. Polly alone, clung to hope!

"Ben will bring her, mammy; I know God will let him, " she whispered. 

But when Ben did bring her, Polly, for the second time in her life, tumbled over with a gasp, into old Mrs. Bascom's lap. 

Home and mother! Little Phronsie slept all that night straight through. The neighbors came in softly, and with awestruck visages stole into thebedroom to look at the child; and as they crept out again, thoughtsof their own little ones tugging at their hearts, the tears would dropunheeded. 

NEW FRIENDS

Up the stairs of the hotel, two steps at a time, ran a boy with a big, black dog at his heels. "Come on, Prince; soft, now, " as they neared adoor at the end of the corridors. 

It opened into a corner room overlooking "the Park, " as the smallopen space in front of the hotel was called. Within the room there wassunshine and comfort, it being the most luxurious one in the house, which the proprietor had placed at the disposal of this most exactingguest. He didn't look very happy, however--the gentleman who sat in aneasy chair by the window; a large, handsome old gentleman, whose wholebearing showed plainly that personal comfort had always been his, andwas, therefore, neither a matter of surprise nor thankfulness. 

"Where have you been?" he asked, turning around to greet the boy whocame in, followed by Prince. 

"Oh, such a long story, father!" he cried, flushed; his eyes sparklingas he flung back the dark hair from his forehead. "You can't evenguess!"

"Never mind now, " said the old gentleman, testily; "your stories arealways long; the paper hasn't come--strange, indeed, that one must needsbe so annoyed! do ring that bell again. "

So the bell was pulled; and a porter popped in his head. 

"What is it, sir?"

"The paper, " said the old gentleman, irritably; "hasn't it come yet?"

"No, sir, " said the man; and then he repeated, "taint in yet, please, sir. "

"Very well--you said so once; that's all, " waving his hand; then as thedoor closed, he said to his son, "That pays one for coming to such anout-of-the-way country place as this, away from papers--I never will doit again. "

As the old gentleman, against the advice of many friends who knew hisdependence on externals, had determined to come to this very place, theboy was not much startled at the decisive words. He stood very quietly, however, until his father finished. Then he said:

"It's too bad, father! supposing I tell you my story? Perhaps you'llenjoy hearing it while you wait--it's really quite newspaperish. "

"Well, you might as well tell it now, I suppose, " said the oldgentleman; "but it is a great shame about that paper! to advertise thatmorning papers are to be obtained--it's a swindle, Jasper! a completeswindle!" and the old gentleman looked so very irate that the boyexerted himself to soothe him. 

"I know, " he said; "but they can't help the trains being late. "

"They shouldn't have the trains late, " said his father, unreasonably. "There's no necessity for all this prating about 'trains late. ' I'mconvinced it's because they forgot to send down for the papers till theywere all sold. "

"I don't believe that's it, father, " said the boy, trying to change thesubject; "but you don't know how splendid Prince has been, nor--" "Andthen such a breakfast!" continued the old gentleman. 

"My liver certainly will be in a dreadful state if these thingscontinue!" And he got up, and going to the corner of the room, openedhis medicine chest, and taking a box of pills therefrom, he swallowedtwo, which done, he came back with a somewhat easier expression to hisfavorite chair. 

"He was just splendid, father, " began the boy; "he went for him, I tellyou!"

"I hope, Jasper, your dog has not been doing anything violent, " said theold gentleman. "I must caution you; he'll get you into trouble some day;and then there'll be a heavy bill to pay; he grows more irritable everyday. "

"Irritable!" cried the boy, flinging his arms around the dog's neck, whowas looking up at the old gentleman in high disdain. "He's done the mostsplendid thing you ever saw! Why, he saved a little girl, father, froma cross old organ-man, and he drove that man--oh! you ought to have seenhim run!"

And now that it was over, Jasper put back his head and laughed long andloud as he remembered the rapid transit of the musical pair. 

"Well, how do you know she wasn't the man's daughter?" asked his father, determined to find fault someway. "You haven't any business to go aroundthe country setting your dog on people. I shall have an awful billto pay some day, Jasper--an awful bill!" he continued, getting up andcommencing to pace up and down the floor in extreme irritation. 

"Father, " cried the boy, half laughing, half vexed, springing to hisside, and keeping step with him, "we found her brother; he came alongwhen we were by the side of the road. We couldn't go any further, forthe poor little thing was all tired out. And don't you think they liveover in Badgertown, and--"

"Well, " said the old gentleman, pausing in his walk, and taking outhis watch to wonder if that paper would ever come, "she had probablyfollowed the organ-man; so it served her right after all. "

"Well, but father, " and the boy's dark eyes glowed, "she was such acunning little thing! she wasn't more than four years old; and she hadsuch a pretty little yellow head; and she said so funny--'I want Polly. "

"Did she?" said the old gentleman, getting interested in spite ofhimself; "what then?"

"Why, then, sir, " said Jasper, delighted at his success in divertinghis thoughts, "Prince and I waited--and waited; and I was just going tobring her here to ask you what we should do, when--" "Dear me!" saidthe old gentleman, instinctively starting back as if he actually saw theforlorn little damsel, "you needn't ever bring such people here, Jasper!I don't know what to do with them, I'm sure!"

"Well, " said the boy, laughing, "we didn't have to, did we, Prince?"stroking the big head of the dog who was slowly following the two asthey paced up and down, but keeping carefully on the side of his master;"for just as we really didn't know what to do, don't you think there wasa big wagon came along, drawn by the ricketiest old horse, and a boy inthe wagon looking both sides of the road, and into every bush, just aswild as he could be, and before I could think, hardly, he spied us, andif he didn't jump! I thought he'd broken his leg--"

"And I suppose he just abused you for what you had done, " observed theold gentleman, petulantly; "that's about all the gratitude there is inthis world. "

"He didn't seem to see me at all, " said the boy. "I thought he'd eat thelittle girl up. "

"Ought to have looked out for her better then, " grumbled the oldgentleman, determined to find fault with somebody. 

"And he's a splendid fellow, I just know, " cried Jasper, waxingenthusiastic; "and his name is Pepper. "

"Pepper!" repeated his father; "no nice family ever had the name ofPepper!"

"Well, I don't care, " and Jasper's laugh was loud and merry; "he'snice anyway, --I know; and the little thing's nice; and I'm going to seethem--can't I, father?"

"Dear me!" said his father; "how can you, Jasper? You do have thestrangest tastes I ever saw!"

"It's dreadful dull here, " pleaded the boy, touching the right string;"you know that yourself, father, and I don't know any boys around here;and Prince and I are so lonely on our walks--do permit me, father!"

The old gentleman, who really cared very little about it, turned away, muttering, "Well, I'm sure I don't care; go where you like, " when aknock was heard at the door, and the paper was handed in, which broke upthe conversation, and restored good humor. 

The next day but one, Ben was out by the wood-pile, trying to break upsome kindlings for Polly who was washing up the dishes, and otherwisepreparing for the delights of baking day. 

"Hulloa!" said a voice bethought he knew. 

He turned around to see the merry-faced boy, and the big, black dog whoimmediately began to wag his tail as if willing to recognize him. 

"You see I thought you'd never look round, " said the boy with a laugh. "How's the little girl?"

"Oh! you have come, really, " cried Ben, springing over the wood-pilewith a beaming face. "Polly!"

But Polly was already by the door, with dish-cloth in hand. "This is mysister, Polly, " began Ben--and then stopped, not knowing the boy's name. 

"I'm Jasper King, " said the boy, stepping upon the flat stone by Polly'sside; and taking off his cap, he put out his hand. "And this is Prince, "he added. 

Polly put her hand in his, and received a hearty shake; and then shesprang over the big stove, dish-cloth and all, and just flung her armsaround the dog's neck. 

"Oh, you splendid fellow, you!" said she. "Don't you know we all thinkyou're as good as gold?"

The dog submitted to the astonishing proceeding as if he liked it, whileJasper, delighted with Polly's appreciation, beamed down on them, andstruck up friendship with her on the instant. 

"Now, I must call Phronsie, " said Polly, getting up, her face as red asa rose. 

"Is her name Phronsie?" asked the boy with interest. 

"No, it's Sophronia, " said Polly, "but we call her Phronsie. "

"What a very funny name, " said Jasper, "Sophronia is, for such a littlething--and yours is Polly, is it not?" he asked, turning around suddenlyon her. 

"Yes, " said Polly; "no, not truly Polly; it's Mary, my real name is--butI've always been Polly. "

"I like Polly best, too, " declared Jasper, "it sounds so nice. "

"And his name is Ben, " said Polly. 

"Ebenezer, you mean, " said Ben, correcting her. 

"Well, we call him Ben, " said Polly; "it don't ever seem as if there wasany Ebenezer about it. "

"I should think not, " laughed Jasper. 

"Well, I must get Phronsie, " again said Polly, running back into thebedroom, where that small damsel was busily engaged in washing "Baby"in the basin of water that she had with extreme difficulty succeeded ingetting down on the floor. She had then, by means of a handful of softsoap, taken from Polly's soap-bowl during the dish-washing, and a bit ofold cotton, plastered both herself and "Baby" to a comfortable degree ofstickiness. 

"Phronsie, " said Polly--"dear me! what you doing? the big dog's outthere, you know, that scared the naughty organ-man; and the boy--" butbefore the words were half out, Phronsie had slipped from under herhands, and to Polly's extreme dismay, clattered out into the kitchen. 

"Here she is!" cried Jasper, meeting her at the door. The little soapyhands were grasped, and kissing her--"Ugh!" he said, as the soft soapplentifully spread on her face met his mouth. 

"Oh, Phronsie! you shouldn't, " cried Polly, and then they all burst outinto a peal of laughter at Jasper's funny grimaces. 

"She's been washing 'Baby, " explained Polly, wiping her eyes, andlooking at Phronsie who was hanging over Prince in extreme affection. Evidently Prince still regarded her as his especial property. 

"Have you got a baby?" asked Jasper. "I thought she was the baby, "pointing to Phronsie. 

"Oh, I mean her littlest dolly; she always calls her 'Baby, " said Polly. "Come, Phronsie, and have your face washed, and a clean apron on. "

When Phronsie could be fairly persuaded that Prince would not runaway during her absence, she allowed herself to be taken off; and soonre-appeared, her own, dainty little self. Ben, in the meantime, hadbeen initiating Jasper into the mysteries of cutting the wood, thetool-house, and all the surroundings of the "little brown house. " Theyhad received a re-inforcement in the advent of Joel and David, whostared delightedly at Phronsie's protector, made friends with the dog, and altogether had had such a thoroughly good time, that Phronsie, coming back, clapped her hands in glee to hear them. 

"I wish mammy was home, " said Polly, polishing up the last cupcarefully. 

"Let me put it up, " said Jasper, taking it from her, "it goes up here, don't it, with the rest?" reaching up to the upper-shelf of the oldcupboard. 

"Yes, " said Polly. 

"Oh, I should think you'd have real good times!" said the boy, enviously. "I haven't a single sister or brother. "

"Haven't you?" said Polly, looking at him in extreme pity. "Yes, we dohave real fun, " she added, answering his questioning look; "the house isjust brimful sometimes, even if we are poor. "

"We aren't poor, " said Joel, who never could bear to be pitied. Then, with a very proud air, he said in a grand way, "At any rate, we aren'tgoing to be, long, for something's coming!"

"What do you mean, Joey?" asked Ben, while the rest looked equallyamazed. 

"Our ships, " said Joel confidently, as if they were right before theireyes; at which they all screamed!

"See Polly's stove!" cried Phronsie, wishing to entertain in her turn. "Here 'tis, " running up to it, and pointing with her fat little finger. 

"Yes, I see, " cried Jasper, pretending to be greatly surprised; "it'snew, isn't it?"

"Yes, " said the child; "it's very all new; four yesterdays ago!"

And then Polly stopped in sweeping up and related, with many additionsand explanations from the others, the history of the stove, and good Dr. Fisher (upon whom they all dilated at great length), and the dreadfulmeasles, and everything. And Jasper sympathized, and rejoiced with themto their hearts content, and altogether got so very home-like, that theyall felt as if they had known him for a year. Ben neglected his work alittle, but then visitors didn't come every day to the Peppers; sowhile Polly worked away at her bread, which she was "going to make likebiscuits, " she said, the audience gathered in the little old kitchen wasin the merriest mood, and enjoyed everything to the fullest extent. 

"Do put in another stick, Bensie dear, " said Polly; "this bread won't befit for anything!"

"Isn't this fun, though!" cried Jasper, running up to try the oven; "Iwish I could ever bake, " and he looked longingly at the little brownbiscuits waiting their turn out on the table. 

"You come out some day, " said Polly, sociably, "and we'll all trybaking--mammy'd like to have you, I know, " feeling sure that nothingwould be too much for Mrs. Pepper to do for the protector of littlePhronsie. 

"I will!" cried Jasper, perfectly delighted. "You can't think howawfully dull it is out in Hingham!"

"Don't you live there?" asked Polly, with a gasp, almost dropping a tinfull of little brown lumps of dough she was carrying to the oven. 

"Live there!" cried Jasper; and then he burst out into a merry laugh. "No, indeed! I hope not! Why, we're only spending the summer there, father and I, in the hotel. "

"Where's your mother?" asked Joel, squeezing in between Jasper andhis audience. And then they all felt instinctively that a very wrongquestion had been asked. 

"I haven't any mother, " said the boy, in a low voice. 

They all stood quite still for a moment; then Polly said, "I wish you'dcome out sometime; and you may bake--or anything else, " she added; andthere was a kinder ring to her voice than ever. 

No mother! Polly for her life, couldn't imagine how anybody could feelwithout a mother, but the very words alone smote her heart; and therewas nothing she wouldn't have done to give pleasure to one who had doneso much for them. 

"I wish you could see our mother, " she said, gently. "Why, here shecomes now! oh, mamsie, dear, " she cried. "Do, Joe, run and take herbundle. "

Mrs. Pepper stopped a minute to kiss Phronsie--her baby was dearer thanever to her now. Then her eye fell on Jasper, who stood respectfullywaiting and watching her with great interest. 

"Is this, " she asked, taking it all in at the first glance--the boy withthe honest eyes as Ben had described him--and the big, black dog--"isthis the boy who saved my little girl?"

"Oh, ma'am, " cried Jasper, "I didn't do much; 'twas Prince. "

"I guess you never'll know how much you did do, " said Mrs. Pepper. Thenlooking with a long, keen gaze into the boy's eyes that met her own sofrankly and kindly: "I'll trust him, " she said to herself; "a boy withthose eyes can't help but be good. "

"Her eyes are just the same as Polly's, " thought Jasper, "just suchlaughing ones, only Polly's are brown, " and he liked her on the spot. 

And then, somehow, the hubbub ceased. Polly went on with her work, andthe others separated, and Mrs. Pepper and Jasper had a long talk. Whenthe mother's eyes fell on Phronsie playing around on the floor, she gavethe boy a grateful smile that he thought was beautiful. 

"Well, I declare, " said Jasper, at last, looking up at the old clock inthe corner by the side of the cupboard, "I'm afraid I'll miss the stage, and then father never'll let me come again. Come, Prince. "

"Oh, don't go, " cried Phronsie, wailing. "Let doggie stay! Oh, make himstay, mammy!"

"I can't, Phronsie, " said Mrs. Pepper, smiling, "if he thinks he oughtto go. "

"I'll come again, " said Jasper, eagerly, "if I may, ma'am. "

He looked up at Mrs. Pepper as he stood cap in hand, waiting for theanswer. 

"I'm sure we should be glad if your father'll be willing, " she added;thinking, proudly, "My children are an honor to anybody, I'm sure, " asshe glanced around on the bright little group she could call her own. "But be sure, Jasper, " and she laid her hand on his arm as she lookeddown into his eyes, "that you father is willing, that's all. "

"Oh, yes, ma'am, " said the boy; "but he will be, I guess, if he feelswell. "

"Then come on Thursday, " said Polly; "and can't we bake something then, mammy?"

"I'm sure I don't care, " laughed Mrs. Pepper; "but you won't find muchbut brown flour and meal to bake with. "

"Well, we can pretend, " said Polly; "and we can cut the cakes with theheart-shape, and they'll do for anything. 

"Oh, I'll come, " laughed Jasper, ready for such lovely fun in the oldkitchen; "look out for me on Thursday, Ben!"

So Jasper and Prince took their leave, all the children accompanyingthem to the gate; and then after seeing him fairly started on a smartrun to catch the stage, Prince scampering at his heels, they all beganto sing his praises and to wish for Thursday to come. 

But Jasper didn't come! Thursday came and went; a beautiful, bright, sunny day, but with no signs of the merry boy whom all had begun tolove, nor of the big black dog. The children had made all the needfulpreparations with much ostentation and bustle, and were in a state ofexcited happiness, ready for any gale. But the last hope had to be givenup, as the old clock ticked away hour after hour. And at last Pollyhad to put Phronsie to bed, who wouldn't stop crying enough to eat hersupper at the dreadful disappointment. 

"He couldn't come, I know, " said both Ben and Polly, standing staunchlyup for their new friend; but Joel and David felt that he had broken hisword. 

"He promised, " said Joel, vindictively. 

"I don't believe his father'd let him, " said Polly, wiping away a slytear; "I know Jasper'd come, if he could. "

Mrs. Pepper wisely kept her own counsel, simply giving them a kindlycaution:

"Don't you go to judging him, children, till you know. "

"Well, he promised, " said Joel, as a settler. 

"Aren't you ashamed, Joel, " said his mother, "to talk about any onewhose back is turned? Wait till he tells you the reason himself. "

Joel hung his head, and then began to tease David in the corner, to makeup for his disappointment. 

The next morning Ben had to go to the store after some more meal. As hewas going out rather dismally, the storekeeper, who was also postmaster, called out, "Oh, halloa, there!"

"What is it?" asked Ben, turning back, thinking perhaps Mr. Atkinshadn't given him the right change. 

"Here, " said Mr. Atkins, stepping up to the Post-office department, quite smart with its array of boxes and official notices, where Ben hadalways lingered, wishing there might be sometime a letter for him--orsome of them. "You've got a sister Polly, haven't you?"

"Yes, " said Ben, wondering what was coming next. 

"Well, she's got a letter, " said the postmaster, holding up a nice bigenvelope, looking just like those that Ben had so many times wishedfor. That magic piece of white paper danced before the boy's eyes for aminute; then he said, "It can't be for her, Mr. Atkins; why, she's neverhad one. "

"Well, she's got one now, sure enough, " said Mr. Atkins; "here 'tis, plain enough, " and he read what he had no need to study much as it hadalready passed examination by his own and his wife's faithful eyes:"Miss Polly Pepper, near the Turnpike, Badgertown'--that's her, isn'tit?" he added, laying it down before Ben's eyes. "Must be a first timefor everything, you know, my boy!" and he laughed long over his ownjoke; "so take it and run along home. " For Ben still stood looking atit, and not offering to stir. 

"If you say so, " said the boy, as if Mr. Atkins had given him somethingout of his own pocket; "but I'm afraid 'tisn't for Polly. " Thenbuttoning up the precious letter in his jacket, he spun along home asnever before. 

"Polly! Polly!" he screamed. "Where is she, mother?"

"I don't know, " said Mrs. Pepper, coming out of the bedroom. "Dear me!is anybody hurt, Ben?"

"I don't know, " said Ben, in a state to believe anything, "but Polly'sgot a letter. "

"Polly got a letter!" cried Mrs. Pepper; "what do you mean, Ben?"

"I don't know, " repeated the boy, still holding out the precious letter;"but Mr. Atkins gave it to me; where is Polly?"

"I know where she is, " said Joel; "she's up-stairs. " And he flew out ina twinkling, and just as soon reappeared with Polly scampering after himin the wildest excitement. 

And then the kitchen was in an uproar as the precious missive was putinto Polly's hand; and they all gathered around her, wondering andexamining, till Ben thought he would go wild with the delay. 

"I wonder where it did come from, " said Polly, in the greatest anxiety, examining again the address. 

"Where does the postmark say?" asked Mrs. Pepper, looking over hershoulder. 

"It's all rubbed out, " said Polly, peering at it "you can't seeanything. "

"Do open it, " said Ben, "and then you'll find out. "

"But p'raps 'tisn't for me, " said Polly, timidly. 

"Well, Mr. Atkins says 'tis, " said Ben, impatiently; "here, I'll open itfor you, Polly. "

"No, let her open it for herself, Ben, " protested his mother. 

"But she won't, " said Ben; "do tear it open, Polly. "

"No, I'm goin' to get a knife, " she said. 

"I'll get one, " cried Joel, running up to the table drawer; "here's one, Polly. "

"Oh, dear, " groaned Ben; "you never'll get it open at this rate!"

But at last it was cut; and they all holding their breath, gazedawe-struck, while Polly drew out the mysterious missive. 

"What does it say?" gasped Mrs. Pepper. 

"Dear Miss Polly, " began both Ben and Polly in a breath. "Let Pollyread, " said Joel, who couldn't hear in the confusion. 

"Well, go on Polly, " said Ben; "hurry!"

"Dear Miss Polly, I was so sorry I couldn't come on Thursday--"

"Oh, it's Jasper! it's Jasper!" cried all the children in a breath. 

"I told you so!" cried Ben and Polly, perfectly delighted to find theirfriend vindicated fully--"there! Joey Pepper!"

"Well, I don't care, " cried Joe, nothing daunted, "he didn't come, anyway--do go on, Polly. "

"I was so sorry I couldn't come--" began Polly. 

"You read that, " said Joel. 

"I know it, " said Polly, "but it's just lovely; 'on Thursday; but myfather was sick, and I couldn't leave him. If you don't mind I'll comeagain--I mean I'll come some other day, if it's just as convenient foryou, for I do so want the baking, and the nice time. I forgot to saythat I had a cold, to, ' (here Jasper had evidently had a struggle in hismind whether there should be two o's or one, and he had at last decidedit, by crossing out one) but my father is willing I should come when Iget well. Give my love to all, and especially remember me respectfullyto your mother. Your friend, "JASPER ELYOT KING. "

"Oh, lovely! lovely!" cried Polly, flying around with the letter in herhand; "so he is coming!"

Ben was just as wild as she was, for no one knew but Polly just how thenew friend had stepped into his heart. Phronsie went to sleep happy, hugging "Baby. "

"And don't you think, Baby, dear, " she whispered sleepily, and Pollyheard her say as she was tucking her in, "that Jasper is really comin';really--and the big, be-you-ti-ful doggie, too!"

PHRONSIE PAYS A DEBT OF GRATITUDE

"And now I tell you, " said Polly, the next day, "let's make Jaspersomething; can't we, ma?"

"Oh, do! do!" cried all the other children, "let's; but what'll it be, Polly?"

"I don't know about this, " interrupted Mrs. Pepper; "I don't see how youcould get anything to him if you could make it. "

"Oh, we could, mamsie, " said Polly, eagerly, running up to her; "for Benknows; and he says we can do it. "

"Oh, well, if Ben and you have had your heads together, I suppose it'sall right, " laughed Mrs. Pepper, "but I don't see how you can do it. "

"Well, we can, mother, truly, " put in Ben. "I'll tell you how, andyou'll say it'll be splendid. You see Deacon Blodgett's goin' over toHingham, to-morrow; I heard him tell Miss Blodgett so; and he goes rightpast the hotel; and we can do it up real nice--and it'll please Jasperso--do, mammy!"

"And it's real dull there, Jasper says, " put in Polly, persuasively;"and just think, mammy, no brothers and sisters!" And Polly lookedaround on the others. 

After that there was no need to say anything more; her mother would haveconsented to almost any plan then. 

"Well, go on, children, " she said; "you may do it; I don't see but whatyou can get 'em there well enough; but I'm sure I don't know what youcan make. "

"Can't we, " said Polly--and she knelt down by her mother's side and puther face in between the sewing in Mrs. Pepper's lap, and the eyes bentkindly down on her--"make some little cakes, real cakes I mean? nowdon't say no, mammy!" she said, alarmed, for she saw a "no" slowlycoming in the eyes above her, as Mrs. Pepper began to shake her head. 

"But we haven't any white flour, Polly, " began her mother. "I know, "said Polly; "but we'll make 'em of brown, it'll do, if you'll give ussome raisins--you know there's some in the bowl, mammy. "

"I was saving them for a nest egg, " said Mrs. Pepper; meaning at somefuture time to indulge in another plum-pudding that the children soloved. 

"Well, do give 'em to us, " cried Polly; "do, ma!"

"I want 'em for a plum-pudding sometime, " said Mrs. Pepper. 

"Ow!--" and Joel with a howl sprung up from the floor where he had beentrying to make a cart for "Baby" out of an old box, and joined Mrs. Pepper and Polly. "No, don't give 'em away, ma!" he screamed; "let'shave our plum-pudding--now, Polly Pepper, you're a-goin' to bake up allour raisins in nasty little cakes--and--"

"Joey!" commanded Mrs. Pepper, "hush! what word did you say!"

"Well, " blubbered Joel, wiping his tears away with his grimy littlehand, "Polly's--a-goin'--to give--"

"I should rather you'd never have a plum-pudding than to say suchwords, " said Mrs. Pepper, sternly, taking up her work again. "Andbesides, do you think what Jasper has done for you?" and her face grewvery white around the lips. 

"Well, he can have plum-puddings, " said Joel, whimpering, "forever an'ever, if he wants them--and--and--"

"Well, Joey, " said Polly, "there, don't feel bad, " and she put her armsaround him, and tried to wipe away the tears that still rolled down hischeeks. "We won't give 'em if you don't want us to; but Jasper's sick, and there isn't anything for him to do, and--" here she whispered slylyup into his ear, "don't you remember how you liked folks to send youthings when you had the measles?"

"Yes, I know, " said Joel, beginning to smile through his tears; "wasn'tit fun, Polly?"

"I guess 'twas, " laughed Polly back again, pleased at the return ofsunshine. "Well, Jasper'll be just as pleased as you were, 'cause welove him and want to do somethin' for him, he was so good to Phronsie. "

"I will, Polly, I will, " cried Joel, completely won over; "do let's make'em for him; and put 'em in thick; oh! thick as you can;" and determinedto do nothing by halves, Joel ran generously for the precious howl ofraisins, and after setting it on the table, began to help Polly in allneedful preparations. 

Mrs. Pepper smiled away to herself to see happiness restored to thelittle group. And soon a pleasant hum and bustle went on around thebaking table, the centre of attraction. 

"Now, " said Phronsie, coming up to the table and standing on tip-toe tosee Polly measure out the flour, "I'm a-goin' to bake something for mysick man, I am. "

"Oh, no, Phronsie, you can't, " began Polly. 

"Hey?" asked Joel, with a daub of flour on the tip of his chubby nose, gained by too much peering into Polly's flour-bag. "What did she say, Polly?" watching her shake the clouds of flour in the sieve. 

"She said she was goin' to bake something for Jasper, " said Polly. "There, " as she whisked in the flour, "now that's done. "

"No, I didn't say Jasper, " said Phronsie; "I didn't say Jasper, " sherepeated, emphatically. 

"Why, what did you say, Pet?" asked Polly, astonished, while littleDavie repeated, "What did you say, Phronsie?"

"I said my sick man, " said Phronsie, shaking her yellow head; "poor sickman. "

"Who does she mean?" said Polly in despair, stopping a moment herviolent stirring that threatened to overturn the whole cake-bowl. 

"I guess she means Prince, " said Joel. "Can't I stir, Polly?"

"Oh, no, " said Polly; "only one person must stir cake. "

"Why?" asked Joel; "why, Polly?"

"Oh, I don't know, " said Polly, "cause 'tis so; never mind now, Joel. Doyou mean Prince, Phronsie?"

"No, I don't mean Princey, " said the child decisively; "I mean my sickman. "

"It's Jasper's father, I guess she means, " said Mrs. Pepper over in thecorner; "but what in the world!"

"Yes, yes, " cried Phronsie, perfectly delighted at being at lastunderstood, and hopping on one toe; "my sick man. "

"I shall give up!" said Polly, tumbling over in a chair, with the cakespoon in her hand, from which a small sticky lump fell on her apron, which Joel immediately pounced upon and devoured. "What do you want tobake, Phronsie?" she gasped, holding the spoon sticking up straight, andstaring at the child. 

"A gingerbread boy, " said the child, promptly; "he'd like that best;poor, sick man!" and she commenced to climb up to active preparations. 

A LETTER TO JASPER

"Mamsie, what shall we do?" implored Polly of her mother. 

"I don't know, " said her mother; "however did that get into her head, doyou suppose?"

"I am sure I can't tell, " said Polly, jumping up and beginning to stirbriskly to make up for lost time. "P'r'aps she heard us talking aboutJasper's having to take care of his sick father, and how hard it must beto be sick away from home. "

"Yes, " said Phronsie, "but he'll be glad to see my gingerbread boy, Iguess; poor, sick man. "

"Oh, Phronsie, " cried Polly, in great distress, "you aren't ever goingto make a 'gingerbread boy' to-day! see, we'll put in a cunning littlecake for Mr. King--full of raisins, Phronsie; won't that be lovely!"and Polly began to fill a little scalloped tin with some of the cakemixture. 

"N-no, " said the child, eying it suspiciously; "that isn't like a'gingerbread boy, ' Polly; he'll like that best. "

"Mamsie, " said Polly, "we can't let her make a dreadful, horrid'gingerbread boy' to send Mr. King! he never'll let Jasper come hereagain. "

"Oh, let her, " cried Joel; "she can bake it, and Dave an' I'll eat it, "and he picked up a raisin that had fallen under the table and begancrunching it with great gusto. 

"That wouldn't be fair, " said Polly, gloomily. "Do get her off from it, mammy. "

"Phronsie, " said Mrs. Pepper, going up back of the child, who satpatiently in her high chair waiting for Polly to let her begin, "hadn'tyou rather wait and give your 'gingerbread boy' to Jasper for hisfather, when he comes?"

"Oh, no, no, " cried Phronsie, twisting in her chair in greatapprehension, "I want to send it now, I do. "

"Well, Polly, " said her mother, laughing, "after all it's best, I think, to let her; it can't do any harm anyway--and instead of Mr. King'snot letting Jasper come, if he's a sensible man that won't make anydifference; and if he isn't, why, then there'd be sure to something comeup sometime to make trouble. "

"Well, " said Polly, "I suppose she's got to; and perhaps, " as aconsoling idea struck her, "perhaps she'll want to eat it up herselfwhen it's done. Here, Phronsie, " giving her a handful of the cakemixture, which she stiffened with flour to the right thickness, "there, you can call that a 'gingerbread boy;' see, won't it make a beautifulone!"

"You needn't think, " said Mrs. Pepper, seeing Phronsie's delighted face, and laughing as she went back to her work, "but what that gingerbreadboy'll go?"

When the little cakes were done, eight of them, and set upon the tablefor exhibition, they one and all protested that they never saw so fine alot. Polly was delighted with the praise they received, and her mother'scommendation that she was "growing a better cook every day. " "How gladJasper'll be, won't he, mamsie?" said she. 

The children walked around and around the table, admiring and pointingout the chief points of attraction, as they appeared before theirdiscriminating eyes. 

"I should choose that one, " said Joel, pointing at one which wasparticularly plummy, with a raisin standing up on one end with a festiveair, as if to say, "there's lots of us inside, you better believe!"

"I wouldn't, " said Davie, "I'd have that--that's cracked so pretty. "

"So 'tis, " said Mrs. Pepper; "they're all as light as a feather, Polly. "

"But my 'gingerbread boy, " cried Phronsie, running eagerly along with aparticularly ugly looking specimen of a cake figure in her hand, "is thebe-yew-tifullest, isn't it, Polly?"

"Oh, dear, " groaned Polly, "it looks just awfully, don't it, Ben!"

"Hoh, hoh!" laughed Joel in derision; "his leg is crooked, seePhronsie--you better let Davie an' me have it. "

"No, no, " screamed the child in terror; "that's my sick man's'gingerbread boy, ' it is!"

"Joe, put it down, " said Ben. "Yes, Phronsie, you shall have it; there, it's all safe;" and he put it carefully into Phronsie's apron, when shebreathed easier. 

"And he hasn't but one eye, " still laughed Joel, while little Daviegiggled too. 

"He did have two, " said Polly, "but she punched the other in with herthumb; don't, boys, " she said, aside, "you'll make her feel bad; do stoplaughing. Now, how'll we send the things?"

"Put 'em in a basket, " said Ben; "that's nicest. "

"But we haven't got any basket, " said Polly, "except the potato basket, and they'd be lost in that. "

"Can't we take your work-basket, mamsie?" asked Ben; "they'd look sonice in that. "

"Oh, " said Mrs. Pepper, "that wouldn't do; I couldn't spare it, andbesides, it's all broken at the side, Ben; that don't look nice. "

"Oh, dear, " said Polly, sitting down on one of the hard wooden chairsto think, "I do wish we had things nice to send to sick people. " And herforehead puckered up in a little hard knot. 

"We'll have to do 'em up in a paper, Polly, " said Ben; "there isn'tany other way; they'll look nice in anything, 'cause they are nice, " headded, comfortingly. 

"If we only had some flowers, " said Polly, "that would set 'em off. "

"You're always a-thinkin' of flowers, Polly, " said Ben. "I guess thecakes'll have to go without 'em. "

"I suppose they will, " said Polly, stifling a little sigh. "Where's thepaper?"

"I've got a nice piece up-stairs, " said Ben, "just right; I'll get it. "

"Put my 'gingerbread boy' on top, " cried Phronsie, handing him up. 

So Polly packed the little cakes neatly in two rows, and laid the'gingerbread boy' in a fascinating attitude across the top. 

"He looks as if he'd been struck by lightning!" said Ben, viewing himcritically as he came in the door with the paper. 

"Be still, " said Polly, trying not to laugh; "that's because he baked sofunny; it made his feet stick out. "

"Children, " said Mrs. Pepper, "how'll Jasper know where the cakes comefrom?"

"Why, he'll know it's us, " said Polly, "of course; 'cause it'll make himthink of the baking we're going to have when he gets well. "

"Well, but you don't say so, " said Mrs. Pepper, smiling; "tisn't politeto send it this way. "

"Whatever'll we do, mammy!" said all four children in dismay, whilePhronsie simply stared. "Can't we send 'em at all?"

"Why yes, " said their mother; "I hope so, I'm sure, after you've got 'embaked; but you might answer Jasper's letter I should think, and tell himabout 'em, and the 'gingerbread boy'. "

"Oh dear, " said Polly, ready to fly, "I couldn't mamsie; I never wrote aletter. "

"Well, you never had one before, did you?" said her mother, composedlybiting her thread. "Never say you can't, Polly, 'cause you don't knowwhat you can do till you've tried. "

"You write, Ben, " said Polly, imploringly. 

"No, " said Ben, "I think the nicest way is for all to say somethin', then 'twon't be hard for any of us. "

"Where's the paper, " queried Polly, "coming from, I wonder!"

"Joel, " said Mrs. Pepper, "run to the bureau in the bedroom, and openthe top drawer, and get a green box there. "

So Joel, quite important at the errand, departed, and presently put thedesignated box into his mother's hand. 

"There, now I'm going to give you this, " and she took out a small sheetof paper slightly yellowed by age; but being gilt-edged, it looked verymagnificent to the five pairs of eyes directed to it. 

"Now Ben, you get the ink bottle and the pen, and then go to work. "

So Ben reached down from the upper shelf in the cupboard the ink bottle, and a pen in a black wooden penholder. 

"Oh, mamsie, " cried Polly, "that's where Phronsie bit it off when shewas a baby, isn't it?" holding up the stubby end where the little ballhad disappeared. 

"Yes, " said Mrs. Pepper, "and now you're going to write about her'gingerbread boy' with it--well, time goes, to be sure. " And she bentover her work again, harder than ever. Poor woman! if she could onlyscrape together enough money to get her children into school--that wasthe earnest wish of her heart. She must do it soon, for Ben was twelveyears old; but with all her strivings and scrimpings she could onlymanage to put bread into their mouths, and live from day to day. "I knowI ought to be thankful for that, " she said to herself, not taking timeeven to cry over her troubles. "But oh, the learning! they must havethat!"

"Now, " said Polly, "how'll we do it Ben?" as they ranged themselvesaround the table, on which reposed the cakes; "you begin. "

"How do folks begin a letter?" asked Ben in despair, of his mother. 

"How did Jasper begin his?" asked Mrs. Pepper back again. "Oh, " criedPolly, running into the bedroom to get the precious missive. "Dear MissPolly'--that's what it says. "

"Well, " said Mrs. Pepper, "then you'd better say, 'Dear MisterJasper'--or you might say, 'Dear Mr. King. '"

"Oh, dear!" cried Polly, "that would be the father then--s'pose heshould think we wrote to him!" and Polly looked horror-stricken to thelast degree. 

"There, there 'tis, " said Ben: "'Dear Mister Jasper'--now what'll wesay?"

"Why, say about the cakes, " replied Polly. 

"And the 'gingerbread boy, " cried Phronsie. "Oh, tell about him, Polly, do. "

"Yes, yes, Phronsie, " said Polly, "we will--why, tell him how we wishhe could have come, and that we baked him some cakes, and that we do sowant him to come just as soon as he can. "

"All right!" said Ben; so he went to work laboriously; only hishard breathing showing what a hard task it was, as the stiff old penscratched up and down the paper. 

"There, that's done, " he cried at length in great satisfaction, holdingit up for inspection. 

"Oh, I do wish, " cried Polly in intense admiration, "I could write sonice and so fast as you can, Ben. "

"Read it, Polly, " said Mrs. Pepper, in pride. 

So Polly began: "Dear Mister Jasper we were all dreadfully sorrythat you didn't come and so we baked you some cakes. '--You didn't sayanything about his being sick, Ben. "

"I forgot it, " said Ben, "but I put it in farther down--you'll see ifyou read on. "

"Baked you some cakes--that is, Polly did, for this is Ben that'swriting. "

"You needn't said that, Ben, " said Polly, dissatisfied; "we all baked'em, I'm sure. 'And just as soon as you get well we do want you to comeover and have the baking. We're real sorry you're sick--boneset's goodfor colds. "

"Oh, Ben!" said Mrs. Pepper, "I guess his father knows what to givehim. "

"And oh! the bitter stuff!" cried Polly, with a wry face. "Well, it'shard work to write, " said Ben, yawning. "I'd rather chop wood. "

"I wish! knew how, " exclaimed Joel, longingly. 

"Just you try every day; Ben'll teach you, Joe, " said his mother, eagerly, "and then I'll let you write. "

"I will!" cried Joe; "then, Dave, you'll see how I'll write--I tellyou!"

"And I'm goin' to--ma, can't I?" said Davie, unwilling to be outdone. 

"Yes, you may, be sure, " said Mrs. Pepper, delighted; "that'll make aman of you fast. "

"Oh, boys, " said Polly, lifting a very red face, "you joggle the tableso I can't do anything. "

"I wasn't jogglin', " said Joel; "the old thing tipped. Look!" hewhispered to Davie, "see Polly, she's writing crooked. "

So while the others hung around her and looked over her shoulder whilethey made their various comments, Polly finished her part, and also heldit up for inspection. 

"Let us see, " said Ben, taking it up. 

"It's after, 'boneset's good for colds, '" said Polly, puckering up herface again at the thought. 

"We most of us knew you were sick--I'm Polly now--because you didn'tcome; and we liked your letter telling us so. Oh, Polly! we weren't gladto hear he was sick!" cried Ben, in horror. 

"I didn't say so!" cried Polly, starting up. "Why, Ben Pepper, I neversaid so!" and she looked ready to cry. 

"It sounds something like it, don't it, mammy?" said Ben, unwilling togive her pain, but appealing to Mrs. Pepper. 

"Polly didn't mean it, " said her mother consolingly; "but if I were you, I'd say something to explain it. "

"I can't put anything in now, " said poor Polly; "there isn't any roomnor any more paper either--what shall I do! I told you, Ben, I couldn'twrite. " And Polly looked helplessly from one to the other for comfort. 

"Yes, you can, " said Ben; "there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these. "

So Polly took the pen again with a sigh. "Now he won't think so, Iguess, " she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again. 

"I'll begin yours again, " Ben said: "We most of us knew you were sickbecause you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so becausewe'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--" (that'sgood, I'm sure. ) "The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--pleaseexcuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick. Thereisn't any more to write, and besides I can't write good, and Ben'stired. From all of us. "

"Why, how's he to know?" cried Ben. "That won't do to sign it. "

"Well, let's say from Ben and Polly then, " said Polly; "only all theothers want to be in the letter. "

"Well, they can't write, " said Ben. 

"We might sign their names for 'em, " suggested Polly. 

"Here's mine, " said Ben, putting under the "From all of us" a big, bold"Ben. "

"And here's mine, " echoed Polly, setting a slightly crooked "Polly" byits side. 

"Now Joe, you better let Ben hold your hand, " said Polly, warningly. ButJoel declaring he could write had already begun, so there was no hopefor it; and a big drop of ink falling from the pen, he spattered the "J"so that no one could tell what it was. The children looked at each otherin despair. 

"Can we ever get it out, mammy?" said Polly, running to Mrs. Pepper withit. 

"I don't know, " said her mother. "How could you try it, Joe?"

"I didn't mean to, " said Joel, looking very downcast and ashamed. "Theugly old pen did it!"

"Well, " said Polly, "it's got to go; we can't help it. " But she lookedso sorrowful over it that half the pleasure was gone for Ben; for Pollywanted everything just right, and was very particular about things. 

"Now, Dave. " Ben held his hand, and "David" went down next to Joel. 

But when it was Phronsie's turn, she protested that Polly, and no oneelse, must hold her hand. 

"It's a dreadful hard name to write--Phronsie is, " said Polly, as sheguided Phronsie's fat little hand that clung faithfully to the stubbyold pen. "There, it's over now, " she cried; "and I'm thankful! Iwouldn't write another for anything!"

"Read it all over now, Ben, " cried Mrs. Pepper, "and don't speak, children, till he gets through. "

"Don't it sound elegant!" said Polly, clasping her hands, when he hadfinished. "I didn't think we ever could do it so nice, did you, Ben?"

"No, indeed, I didn't, " replied Ben, in a highly ecstatic frame of mind. "Now--oh! what'll we do for an envelope?" he asked in dismay. 

"You'll have to do without that, " said Mrs. Pepper, "for there isn't anyin the house--but see here, children, " she added, as she saw the sorryfaces before her--"you just fold up the letter, and put it inside theparcel; that'll be just as good. "

"Oh dear, " said Polly; "but it would have been splendid the other way, mammy--just like other folks!"

"You must make believe this is like other folks, " said Mrs. Pepper, cheerily, "when you can't do any other way. "

"Yes, " said Ben, "that's so, Polly; tie 'em up quick's you can, and I'lltake 'em over to Deacon Blodgett's, for he's goin' to start early in themorning. "

So after another last look all around, Polly put the cakes in the paper, and tied it with four or five strong knots, to avoid all danger of itsundoing. 

"He never'll untie it, Polly, " said Ben; "that's just like a girl'sknots!"

"Why didn't you tie it then?" said Polly; "I'm sure it's as good asa boy's knots, and they always muss up a parcel so. " And she gave aloving, approving little pat to the top of the package, which, despiteits multitude of knots, was certainly very neat indeed. 

Ben, grasping the pen again, "here goes for the direction. 

"Deary, yes!" said Polly. "I forgot all about that; I thought 'twasdone. "

"How'd you s'pose he'd get it?" asked Ben, coolly beginning the "M. "

"I don't know, " replied Polly, looking over his shoulder; "s'poseanybody else had eaten 'em up, Ben!" And she turned pale at the verythought. 

"There, " said Ben, at last, after a good many flourishes, "now 'tisdone! you can't think of another thing to do to it, Polly!"

"Mamsie, see!" cried Polly, running with it to Mrs. Pepper, "isn't thatfine! 'Mr. Jasper E. King, at the Hotel Hingham. "

"Yes, " said Mrs. Pepper, admiringly, to the content of all the children, "I should think it was!"

"Let me take it in my hand, " screamed Joel, reaching eagerly up for thetempting brown parcel. 

"Be careful then, Joe, " said Polly, with an important air. So Joel tooka comfortable feel, and then Davie must have the same privilege. Atlast it was off, and with intense satisfaction the children watched Bendisappear with it down the long hill to Deacon Blodgett's. 

The next day Ben came running in from his work at the deacon's. 

"Oh, Polly, you had 'em!" he screamed, all out of breath. "You had 'em!"

"Had what?" asked Polly in astonishment. "Oh, Bensie, what do you mean?"

"Your flowers, " he panted. "You sent some flowers to Jasper. "

"Flowers to Jasper!" repeated Polly, afraid Ben had gone out of hiswits. 

"Yes, " said Ben; "I'll begin at the beginning. You see, Polly, when Iwent down this morning, Betsey was to set me to work. Deacon Blodgettand Mrs. Blodgett had started early, you know; and while I wasa-cleanin' up the woodshed, as she told me, all of a sudden she said, as she stood in the door looking on, 'Oh, Ben, Mis' Blodgett took someposies along with your parcel. ' 'What?' said I; I didn't know as I'dheard straight. 'Posies, I said, ' says Betsey; 'beautiful ones theywere, too, the best in the garding. I heard her tell Mr. Blodgett itwould be a pity if that sick boy couldn't have some flowers, and sheknew the Pepper children were crazy about 'em, so she twisted 'em inthe string around the parcel, and there they stood up and looked fine, Itell you, as they drove away. ' So, Polly!"

"Bensie Pepper!" cried Polly, taking hold of his jacket, and spinninghim round, "I told you so! I told you so!"

"I know you did, " said Ben, as she gave him a parting whirl, "an' I wishyou'd say so about other things, Polly, if you can get 'em so easy. "

JOLLY DAYS

"Oh Ben, " cried Jasper, overtaking him by a smart run as he was turningin at the little brown gate one morning three days after, "do wait. "

"Halloa!" cried Ben, turning around, and setting down his load--a bag ofsalt and a basket of potatoes--and viewing Jasper and Prince with greatsatisfaction. 

"Yes, here I am, " said Jasper. "And how I've run; that fellow on thestage was awful slow in getting here--oh, you're so good, " he saidand his eyes, brimful of gladness, beamed on Ben. "The cakes were justprime, and 'twas great fun to get your letter. "

"Did you like it?" asked Ben, the color up all over his brownface--"Like it!" cried Jasper. "Why 'twas just splendid; and the cakeswere royal! Isn't Polly smart though, to bake like that!" he addedadmiringly. 

"I guess she is, " said Ben, drawing himself up to his very tallestdimensions. "She knows how to do everything, Jasper King!"

"I should think she did, " responded the boy quickly. "I wish she was mysister, " he finished longingly. 

"Well, I don't, " quickly replied Ben, "for then she wouldn't be mine;and I couldn't think of being without Polly! Was your father angryabout--about--'the gingerbread boy'?" he asked timidly, trembling for ananswer. 

"Oh dear, " cried Jasper, tumbling over on the grass, "don't, don't! Ishan't be good for anything if you make me laugh! oh! wasn't it funny;"and he rolled over and over, shaking with glee. 

"Yes, " said Ben, immensely relieved to find that no offence had beentaken. "But she would send it; Polly tried not to have her, and shemost cried when Phronsie was so determined, cause she said your fathernever'd let you come again--"

"Twas just lovely in Phronsie, " said the boy, sitting up and wiping hiseyes, "but oh it was so funny! you ought to have seen my father, BenPepper. "

"Oh, then he was angry, " cried Ben. 

"No indeed he wasn't!" said Jasper; "don't you think it! do you know itdid him lots of good, for he'd been feeling real badly that morning, hehadn't eaten any breakfast, and when he saw that gingerbread boy--"here Jasper rolled over again with a peal of laughter--"and heard themessage, he just put back his head, and he laughed--why, I never heardhim laugh as he did then! the room shook all over; and he ate a bigdinner, and all that afternoon he felt as good as could be. But he sayshe's coming to see the little girl that baked it for him before we gohome. "

Ben nearly tumbled over by the side of Jasper at these words--"Coming tosee us!" he gasped. 

"Yes, " said Jasper, who had scarcely got over his own astonishment aboutit, for if the roof had suddenly whisked off on to the church steeple, he couldn't have been more amazed than when he heard his father saycheerily: "Well, Jasper my boy, I guess I shall have to drive over andsee your little girl, since she's been polite enough to bake me this, "pointing to the wild-looking "gingerbread boy. "

"Come in and tell 'em about it, " cried Ben, radiantly, picking up hispotatoes and salt. "It's all right, Polly!" he said in a jubilant voice, "for here's Jasper, and he'll tell you so himself. "

"Hush!" said Jasper warningly, "don't let Phronsie hear; well, here'smy pet now, " and after bobbing lovingly to the others, with eyes beamingover with fun, he caught up the little girl who was screaming--"Oh, here's Jasper! and my beyew-ti-ful doggie!"

"Now Phronsie, " he cried, "give me a kiss; you haven't any soft soapto-day, have you? no; that's a good, nice one, now; your 'gingerbreadboy' was just splendid!"

"Did he eat it?" asked the child in grave delight. 

"Well--no--he hasn't eaten it yet, " said Jasper, smiling on the others;"he's keeping it to look at, Phronsie. "

"I should think so!" groaned Polly. 

"Never mind, Polly, " Ben whispered; "Jasper's been a-tellin' me aboutit; his father liked it--he did truly. "

"Oh!" said Polly, "I'm so glad!"

"He had eyes, " said Phronsie, going back to the charms of the"gingerbread boy. "

"I know it, " said Jasper admiringly; "so he did. "

"Rather deep sunk, one of 'em was, " muttered Ben. 

"And I'll bake you one, Jasper, " said the child as he put her down; "Iwill very truly--some day. "

"Will you, " smiled Jasper; "well then, " and there was a whisperedconference with Phronsie that somehow sent that damsel into a blissfulstate of delight. And then while Phronsie monopolized Prince, Jaspertold them all about the reception of the parcel--how very dull andforlorn he was feeling that morning, Prince and he shut up in-doors--andhow his father had had a miserable night, and had eaten scarcely nobreakfast, and just at this juncture there came a knock at the door, "and" said Jasper, "your parcel walked in, all dressed up in flowers!"

"They weren't our flowers, " said Polly, honestly. "Mrs. Blodgett put 'emon. "

"Well she couldn't have, if you hadn't sent the parcel, " said Jasper ina tone of conviction. 

Then he launched out into a description of how they opened thepackage--Prince looking on, and begging for one of the cakes. 

"Oh, didn't you give him one?" cried Polly at this. "Good old Prince!"

"Yes I did, " said Jasper, "the biggest one of all. "

"The one I guess, " interrupted Joel, "with the big raisin on top. "

Polly spoke up quickly to save any more remarks on Joel's part. "Nowtell us about your father--and the 'gingerbread boy. '"

So Jasper broke out with a merry laugh, into this part of the story, and soon had them all in such a gale of merriment, that Phronsie stoppedplaying out on the door-step with Prince, and came in to see what thematter was. 

"Never mind, " said Polly, trying to get her breath, just as Jasper wasrelating how Mr. King set up the "gingerbread boy" on his writing tablebefore him, while he leaned back in his chair for a hearty laugh. 

"And to make it funnier still, " said Jasper "don't you think, a littlepen-wiper he has, made like a cap, hanging on the pen-rack above him, tumbled off just at this very identical minute right on the head of the'gingerbread boy, ' and there it stuck!"

"Oh!" they all screamed, "if we could only have seen it. "

"What was it?" asked Phronsie, pulling Polly's sleeve to make her hear. 

So Jasper took her in his lap, and told how funny the "gingerbread boy"looked with a cap on, and Phronsie clapped her hands, and laughed withthe rest, till the little old kitchen rang and rang again. 

And then they had the baking! and Polly tied one of her mother's ampleaprons on Jasper, as Mrs. Pepper had left directions if he should comewhile she was away; and he developed such a taste for cookery, and hadso many splendid improvements on the Peppers' simple ideas, that thechildren thought it the most fortunate thing in the world that he came;and one and all voted him a most charming companion. 

"You could cook a Thanksgiving dinner in this stove, just as easy asnot, " said Jasper, putting into the oven something on a little crackedplate that would have been a pie if there were any centre; but lackingthat necessary accompaniment, probably was a short-cake. "Just as easyas not, " he repeated with emphasis, slamming the door, to give point tohis remarks. 

"No, you couldn't either, " said Ben at the table with equal decision;"not a bit of it, Jasper King!"

"Why, Ben Pepper?" asked Jasper, "that oven's big enough! I should liketo know why not?"

"'Cause there isn't anything to cook, " said Ben coolly, cutting out apiece of dough for a jumble; "we don't keep Thanksgiving. "

"Not keep Thanksgiving!" said Jasper, standing quite still; "never had aThanksgiving! well, I declare, " and then he stopped again. 

"Yes, " answered Ben; "we had one once; 'twas last year--but that wasn'tmuch. "

"Well then, " said Jasper, leaning over the table, "I'll tell you what Ishould think you'd do--try Christmas. "

"Oh, that's always worse, " said Polly, setting down her rolling-pin tothink--which immediately rolled away by itself off from the table. 

"We never had a Christmas, " said little Davie reflectively; "what arethey like, Jasper?"

Jasper sat quite still, and didn't reply to this question for a momentor two. 

To be among children who didn't like Thanksgiving, and who "neverhad seen a Christmas, " and "didn't know what it was like, " was a newrevelation to him. 

"They hang up stockings, " said Polly softly. 

How many, many times she had begged her mother to try it for the youngerones; but there was never anything to put in them, and the winters werecold and hard, and the strictest economy only carried them through. 

"Oh!" said little Phronsie in horror, "are their feet in 'em, Polly?"

"No dear, " said Polly; while Jasper instead of laughing, only stared. Something requiring a deal of thought was passing through the boy's mindjust then. "They shall have a Christmas!" he muttered, "I know father'lllet me. " But he kept his thoughts to himself; and becoming his own gay, kindly self, he explained and told to Phronsie and the others, so manystories of past Christmases he had enjoyed, that the interest over thebaking soon dwindled away, until a horrible smell of something burningbrought them all to their senses. 

"Oh! the house is burning!" cried Polly. "Oh get a pail of water!"

"Tisn't either, " said Jasper, snuffing wisely; "oh! I know--I forgot allabout it--I do beg your pardon. " And running to the stove, he kneltdown and drew out of the oven, a black, odorous mass, which with acrest-fallen air he brought to Polly. 

"I'm no end sorry I made such a mess of it, " he said, "I meant it foryou. "

"Tisn't any matter, " said Polly kindly. 

"And now do you go on, " cried Joel and David both in the same breath, "all about the Tree, you know. "

"Yes, yes, " said the others; "if you're not tired, Jasper. "

"Oh, no, " cried their accommodating friend, "I love to tell about it;only wait--let's help Polly clear up first. "

So after all traces of the frolic had been tidied up, and made nice forthe mother's return, they took seats in a circle and Jasper regaledthem with story and reminiscence, till they felt as if fairy land werenothing to it!

"How did you ever live through it, Jasper King, " said Polly, drawing thefirst long breath she had dared to indulge in. "Such an elegant time!"

Jasper laughed. "I hope I'll live through plenty more of them, " he saidmerrily. "We're going to sister Marian's again, father and I; we alwaysspend our Christmas there, you know, and she's to have all the cousins, and I don't know how many more; and a tree--but the best of all, there'sgoing to be a German carol sung by choir boys--I shall like that best ofall. "

"What are choir boys?" asked Polly who was intensely fond of music. 

"In some of the churches, " explained Jasper, "the choir is all boys; andthey do chant, and sing anthems perfectly beautifully, Polly!"

"Do you play on the piano, and sing?" asked Polly, looking at him inawe. 

"Yes, " said the boy simply; "I've played ever since I was a littlefellow, no bigger'n Phronsie. "

"Oh, Jasper!" cried Polly, clasping her hands, her cheeks allaflame--"do you mean to say you do really and truly play on the piano?"

"Why yes, " said the boy, looking into her flashing eyes. "Polly'salways crazy about music, " explained Ben; "she'll drum on the table, andanywhere, to make believe it's a piano. "

"There's Dr. Fisher going by, " said Joel, who, now that they had gottenon the subject of music, began to find prickles running up and down hislegs from sitting so still. "I wish he'd stop. "

"Is he the one that cured your measles--and Polly's eyes?" asked Jasperrunning to the window. "I want to see him. "

"Well there he is, " cried Ben, as the doctor put his head out of the gigand bowed and smiled to the little group in the window. 

"He's just lovely, " cried Polly, "oh! I wish you knew him. "

"If father's sick again, " said Jasper, "we'll have him--he looks nice, anyway--for father don't like the doctor over in Hingham--do you knowperhaps we'll come again next summer; wouldn't that be nice!"

"Oh!" cried the children rapturously; "do come, Jasper, do!"

"Well, maybe, " said Jasper, "if father likes it and sister Marian andher family will come with us; they do some summers. You'd like littleDick, I know, " turning to Phronsie. "And I guess all of you'd like allof them, " he added, looking at the group of interested listeners. "Theywanted to come this year awfully; they said--'Oh grandpapa, do let us gowith you and Jappy, and--"

"What!" said the children. 

"Oh, " said Jasper with a laugh, "they call me Jappy--its easier to saythan Jasper; ever so many people do for short. You may if you want to, "he said looking around on them all. 

"How funny!" laughed Polly, "But I don't know as it is any worse thanPolly or Ben. "

"Or Phronsie, " said Jappy. "Don't you like Jappy?" he said, bringinghis head down to her level, as she sat on the little stool at his feet, content in listening to the merry chat. 

"Is that the same as Jasper?" she asked gravely. 

"Yes, the very same, " he said. 

When they parted--Jappy and the little Peppers were sworn friends; andthe boy, happy in his good times in the cheery little home, felt thehours long between the visits that his father, when he saw the changethat they wrought in his son, willingly allowed him to make. 

"Oh dear!" said Mrs. Pepper one day in the last of September--as acarriage drawn by a pair of very handsome horses, stopped at theirdoor, "here comes Mr. King I do believe; we never looked worse'n we doto-day!"

"I don't care, " said Polly, flying out of the bedroom. "Jappy's withhim, mamma, and it'll be nice I guess. At any rate, Phronsie's clean asa pink, " she thought to herself looking at the little maiden, busy with"baby" to whom she was teaching deportment in the corner. But there wasno time to "fix up;" for a tall, portly gentleman, leaning on hisheavy gold cane, was walking up from the little brown gate to the bigflat-stone that served as a step. Jasper and Prince followed decorously. 

"Is this little Miss Pepper?" he asked pompously of Polly, who answeredhis rap on the door. Now whether she was little "Miss Pepper" she neverhad stopped to consider. 

"I don't know sir; I'm Polly. " And then she blushed bright as a rose, and the laughing brown eyes looked beyond to Jasper, who stood on thewalk, and smiled encouragingly. 

"Is your mother in?" asked the old gentleman, who was so tall he couldscarcely enter the low door. And then Mrs. Pepper came forward, andJasper introduced her, and the old gentleman bowed, and sat down inthe seat Polly placed for him. And Mrs. Pepper thanked him with a heartoverflowing with gratitude, through lips that would tremble eventhen, for all that Jasper had done for them. And the old gentlemansaid--"Humph!" but he looked at his son, and something shone in his eyejust for a moment. 

Phronsie had retreated with "baby" in her arms behind the door on thenew arrival. But seeing everything progressing finely, and overcome byher extreme desire to see Jappy and Prince, she began by peeping outwith big eyes to observe how things were going on. Just then the oldgentleman happened to say, "Well, where is my little girl that baked mea cake so kindly?"

Then Phronsie, forgetting all else but her "poor sick man, " who also was"Jasper's father, " rushed out from behind the door, and coming up to thestately old gentleman in the chair, she looked up pityingly, and said, shaking her yellow head, "Poor, sick man, was my boy good?"

After that there was no more gravity and ceremony. In a moment, Phronsiewas perched upon old Mr. King's knee, and playing with his watch;while the others, freed from all restraint, were chatting and laughinghappily, till some of the cheeriness overflowed and warmed the heart ofthe old gentleman. 

"We go to-morrow, " he said, rising, and looking at his watch. "Why, isit possible that we have been here an hour! there, my little girl, will you give me a kiss?" and he bent his handsome old head down to thechildish face upturned to his confidingly. 

"Don't go, " said the child, as she put up her little lips in graveconfidence. "I do like you--I do!"

"Oh, Phronsie, " began Mrs. Pepper. 

"Don't reprove her, madam, " said the old gentleman, who liked itimmensely. "Yes, we go to-morrow, " he said, looking around on the groupto whom this was a blow they little expected. They had surely thoughtJasper was to stay a week longer. 

"I received a telegram this morning, that I must be in the city onThursday. And besides, madam, " he said, addressing Mrs. Pepper, "I thinkthe climate is bad for me now, as it induces rheumatism. The hotel isalso getting unpleasant; there are many annoyances that I cannot put upwith; so that altogether, I do not regret it. "

Mrs. Pepper, not knowing exactly what to say to this, wisely saidnothing. Meantime, Jappy and the little Peppers were having a sorry timeover in the corner by themselves. 

"Well, I'll write, " cried Jasper, not liking to look at Polly just then, as he was sure he shouldn't want anyone to look at him, if he felt likecrying. "And you must answer 'em all. "

"Oh, we will! we will!" they cried. "And Jappy, do come next summer, "said Joel. 

"If father'll only say yes, we will, I tell you!" he responded eagerly. 

"Come, my boy, " said his father the third time; and Jasper knew by thetone that there must be no delay. 

Mr. King had been nervously putting his hand in his pocket during thelast few moments that the children were together; but when he glancedat Mrs. Pepper's eyes, something made him draw it out again hastily, as empty as he put it in. "No, 'twouldn't do, " he said to himself; "sheisn't the kind of woman to whom one could offer money. "

The children crowded back their tears, and hastily said their lastgood-bye, some of them hanging on to Prince till the last moment. 

And then the carriage door shut with a bang, Jasper giving them a brightparting smile, and they were gone. 

And the Peppers went into their little brown house, and shut the door. 

GETTING A CHRISTMAS FOR THE LITTLE ONES

And so October came and went. The little Peppers were very lonely afterJasper had gone; even Mrs. Pepper caught herself looking up one day whenthe wind blew the door open suddenly, half expecting to see the merrywhole-souled boy, and the faithful dog come scampering in. 

But the letters came--and that was a comfort; and it was fun to answerthem. The first one spoke of Jasper's being under a private tutor, withhis cousins; then they were less frequent, and they knew he was studyinghard. Full of anticipations of Christmas himself, he urged the littlePeppers to try for one. And the life and spirit of the letter was socatching, that Polly and Ben found their souls fired within them to tryat least to get for the little ones a taste of Christmastide. 

"Now, mammy, " they said at last, one day in the latter part of October, when the crisp, fresh air filled their little healthy bodies withspringing vitality that must bubble over and rush into something, "we don't want a Thanksgiving--truly we don't. But may we try for aChristmas--just a little one, " they added, timidly, "for the children?"Ben and Polly always called the three younger ones of the flock "thechildren. "

To their utter surprise, Mrs. Pepper looked mildly assenting, andpresently she said, "Well, I don't see why you can't try; 'twon't do anyharm, I'm sure. "

You see Mrs. Pepper had received a letter from Jasper, which at presentshe didn't feel called upon to say anything about. 

"Now, " said Polly, drawing a long breath, as she and Ben stole away intoa corner to "talk over" and lay plans, "what does it mean?"

"Never mind, " said Ben; "as long as she's given us leave I don't carewhat it is. "

"I neither, " said Polly, with the delicious feeling as if the wholeworld were before them where to choose; "it'll be just gorgeous, Ben!"

"What's that?" asked Ben, who was not as much given to long words asPolly, who dearly loved to be fine in language as well as other things. 

"Oh, it's something Jappy said one day; and I asked him, and he saysit's fine, and lovely, and all that, " answered Polly, delighted that sheknew something she could really tell Ben. 

"Then why not say fine?" commented Ben, practically, with a littleupward lift of his nose. 

"Oh, I'd know, I'm sure, " laughed Polly. "Let's think what'll we dofor Christmas--how many weeks are there, anyway, Ben?" And she began tocount on her fingers. 

"That's no way, " said Ben, "I'm going to get the Almanac. " So he went tothe old clock where hanging up by its side, was a "Farmer's Almanac. "

"Now, we'll know, " he said, coming back to their corner. So with headstogether they consulted and counted up till they found that eight weeksand three days remained in which to get ready. 

"Dear me!" said Polly. "It's most a year, isn't it, Ben?"

"'Twon't be much time for us, " said Ben, who thought of the many hoursto be devoted to hard work that would run away with the time. "We'dbetter begin right away, Polly. "

"Well, all right, " said Polly, who could scarcely keep her fingersstill, as she thought of the many things she should so love to do if shecould. "But first, Ben, what let's do?"

"Would you rather hang up their stockings?" asked Ben, as if he hadunlimited means at his disposal; "or have a tree?"

"Why, " said Polly, with wide open eyes at the two magnificent ideas, "wehaven't got anything to put in the stockings when we hang 'em, Ben. "

"That's just it, " said Ben. "Now, wouldn't it be better to have a tree, Polly? I can get that easy in the woods, you know. "

"Well, " interrupted Polly, eagerly, "we haven't got anything to hang onthat, either, Ben. You know Jappy said folks hang all sorts of presentson the branches. So I don't see, " she continued, impatiently, "asthat's any good. We can't do anything, Ben Pepper, so there! there isn'tanything to do anything with, " and with a flounce Polly sat down onthe old wooden stool, and folding her hands looked at Ben in a mostdespairing way. 

"I know, " said Ben, "we haven't got much. "

"We haven't got anything, " said Polly, still looking at him. "Why, we'vegot a tree, " replied Ben, hopefully. "Well, what's a tree, " retortedPolly, scornfully. "Anybody can go out and look at a tree outdoors. "

"Well, now, I tell you, Polly, " said Ben, sitting down on the floorbeside her, and speaking very slowly and decisively, "we've got to dosomething 'cause we've begun; and we might make a tree real pretty. "

"How?" asked Polly, ashamed of her ill-humor, but not in the leastseeing how anything could be made of a tree. "How, Ben Pepper?"

"Well, " said Ben, pleasantly, "we'd set it up in the corner--"

"Oh, no, not in the corner, " cried Polly, whose spirits began to risea little as she saw Ben so hopeful. "Put it in the middle of the room, do!"

"I don't care where you put it, " said Ben, smiling, happy that Polly'susual cheerful energy had returned, "but I thought. --'twill be a littleone, you know, and I thought 'twould look better in the corner. "

"What else?" asked Polly, eager to see how Ben would dress the tree. 

"Well, " said Ben, "you know the Henderson boys gave me a lot of cornlast week. "

"I don't see as that helps much, " said Polly, still incredulous. "Do youmean hang the cobs on the branches, Ben? That would be just dreadful!"

"I should think likely, " laughed Ben. "No, indeed, Polly Pepper! butif we should pop a lot, oh! a bushel, and then we should string 'em, wecould wind it all in and out among the branches, and--"

"Why, wouldn't that be pretty?" cried Polly, "real pretty--and we can dothat, I'm sure. "

"Yes, " continued Ben; "and then, don't you know, there's some littlecandle ends in that box in the Provision Room, maybe mammy'd give usthem. "

"I don't believe but she would, " cried Polly; "twould be just likeJappy's if she would! Let's ask her now--this very same minute!"

And they scampered hurriedly to Mrs. Pepper, who to their extremeastonishment, after all, said "yes, " and smiled encouragingly on theplan. 

"Isn't mammy good?" said Polly, with loving gratitude, as they seatedthemselves again. 

"Now we're all right, " exclaimed Ben, "and I tell you we can make thetree look perfectly splendid, Polly Pepper!"

"And I'll tell you another thing, Ben, " Polly said, "oh! somethingelegant! You must get ever so many hickory nuts; and you know those bitsof bright paper I've got in the bureau drawer? Well, we can paste themon to the nuts and hang 'em on for the balls Jappy tells of. "

"Polly, " cried Ben, "it'll be such a tree as never was, won't it?"

"Yes; but dear me, " cried Polly, springing up, "the children are coming!Wasn't it good, grandma wanted 'em to come over this afternoon, so'swe could talk! Now hush!" as the door opened to admit the noisy littletroop. 

"If you think of any new plan, " whispered Ben, behind his hand, whileMrs. Pepper engaged their attention, "you'll have to come out into thewood-shed to talk after this. "

"I know it, " whispered Polly back again; "oh! we've got just heaps ofthings to think of, Bensie!"

Such a contriving and racking of brains as Polly and Ben set up afterthis! They would bob over at each other, and smile with significantgesture as a new idea would strike one of them, in the most mysteriousway that, if observed, would drive the others almost wild. And then, frightened lest in some hilarious moment the secret should pop out, the two conspirators would betake themselves to the wood-shed as beforeagreed on. But Joel, finding this out, followed them one day--or, asPolly said, tagged--so that was no good. 

"Let's go behind the wood-pile, " she said to Ben, in desperation; "hecan't hear there, if we whisper real soft. "

"Yes, he will, " said Ben, who knew Joel's hearing faculties much better. "We'll have to wait till they're a-bed. "

So after that, when nightfall first began to make its appearance, Pollywould hint mildly about bedtime. 

"You hustle us so!" said Joel, after he had been sent off to bed for twoor three nights unusually early. 

"Oh, Joey, it's good for you to get to bed, " said Polly, coaxingly;"it'll make you grow, you know, real fast. "

"Well, I don't grow a-bed, " grumbled Joel, who thought something was inthe wind. "You and Ben are going to talk, I know, and wink your eyes, assoon as we're gone. "

"Well, go along, Joe, that's a good boy, " said Polly, laughing, "andyou'll know some day. "

"What'll you give me?" asked Joel, seeing a bargain, his foot on thelowest stair leading to the loft, "say, Polly?"

"Oh, I haven't got much to give, " she said, cheerily; "but I'll tell youwhat, Joey--I'll tell you a story every day that you go to bed. "

"Will you?" cried Joe, hopping back into the room. "Begin now, Polly, begin now!"

"Why, you haven't been to bed yet, " said Polly, "so I can't tillto-morrow. "

"Yes, I have--you've made us go for three--no, I guess fourteen nights, "said Joel, indignantly. 

"Well, you were made to go, " laughed Polly. "I said if you'd go good, you know; so run along, Joe, and I'll tell you a nice one to-morrow. "

"It's got to be long, " shouted Joel, when he saw he could get no more, making good time up to the loft. 

To say that Polly, in the following days, was Master Joel's slave, wasstating the case lightly. However, she thought by her story-telling shegot off easily, as each evening saw the boys drag their unwillingfeet to-bedward, and leave Ben and herself in peace to plan and workundisturbed. There they would sit by the little old table, around theone tallow candle, while Mrs. Pepper sewed away busily, looking up tosmile or to give some bits of advice; keeping her own secret meanwhile, which made her blood leap fast, as the happy thoughts nestled in herheart of her little ones and their coming glee. And Polly made theloveliest of paper dolls for Phronsie out of the rest of the bits ofbright paper; and Ben made windmills and whistles for the boys; and afunny little carved basket with a handle, for Phronsie, out of a hickorynut shell; and a new pink calico dress for Seraphina peered out fromthe top drawer of the old bureau in the bedroom, whenever anyone openedit--for Mrs. Pepper kindly let the children lock up their treasuresthere as fast as completed. 

"I'll make Seraphina a bonnet, " said Mrs. Pepper, "for there's that oldbonnet-string in the bag, you know, Polly, that'll make it beautiful. "

"Oh, do, mother, " cried Polly, "she's been wanting a new one awfully. "

"And I'm going to knit some mittens for Joel and David, " continued Mrs. Pepper; "cause I can get the yarn cheap now. I saw some down at thestore yesterday I could have at half price. "

"I don't believe anybody'll have as good a Christmas as we shall, " criedPolly, pasting on a bit of trimming to the gayest doll's dress; "no, noteven Jappy. "

An odd little smile played around Mrs. Pepper's mouth, but she said nota word, and so the fun and the work went on. 

The tree was to be set up in the Provision Room; that was finallydecided, as Mrs. Pepper showed the children how utterly useless it wouldbe to try having it in the kitchen. 

"I'll find the key, children, " she said, "I think I know where 'tis, andthen we can keep them out. "

"Well, but it looks so, " said Polly, demurring at the prospect. 

"Oh, no, Polly, " said her mother; "at any rate it's clean. "

"Polly, " said Ben, "we can put evergreen around, you know. "

"So we can, " said Polly, brightly; "oh, Ben, you do think of the bestthings; we couldn't have had them in the kitchen. "

"And don't let's hang the presents on the tree, " continued Ben; "let'shave the children hang up their stockings; they want to, awfully--for Iheard David tell Joel this morning before we got up--they thought Iwas asleep, but I wasn't--that he did so wish they could, but, says he, 'Don't tell mammy, 'cause that'll make her feel bad. "

"The little dears!" said Mrs. Pepper, impulsively; "they shall havetheir stockings, too. "

"And we'll make the tree pretty enough, " said Polly, enthusiastically;"we shan't want the presents to hang on; we've got so many things. Andthen we'll have hickory nuts to eat; and perhaps mammy'll let us makesome molasses candy the day before, " she said, with a sly look at hermother. 

"You may, " said Mrs. Pepper, smiling. 

"Oh, goody!" they both cried, hugging each other ecstatically. 

"And we'll have a frolic in the Provision Room afterwards, " finishedPolly; "oh! ooh!"

And so the weeks flew by--one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight! till only the three days remained, and to think the fun thatPolly and Ben had had already!

"It's better'n a Christmas, " they told their mother, "to get ready forit!"

"It's too bad you can't hang up your stockings, " said Mrs. Pepper, looking keenly at their flushed faces and bright eyes; "you've neverhung 'em up. "

"That isn't any matter, mamsie, " they both said, cheerily; "it's agreat deal better to have the children have a nice time--oh, won't it beelegant! p'r'aps we'll have ours next year!"

For two days before, the house was turned upside down for Joel to findthe biggest stocking he could; but on Polly telling him it must be hisown, he stopped his search, and bringing down his well-worn one, hung itby the corner of the chimney to be ready. 

"You put yours up the other side, Dave, " he advised. 

"There isn't any nail, " cried David, investigating. 

"I'll drive one, " said Joel, so he ran out to the tool-house, as onecorner of the wood-shed was called, and brought in the hammer and one ortwo nails. 

"Phronsie's a-goin' in the middle, " he said, with a nail in his mouth. 

"Yes, I'm a-goin' to hang up my stockin', " cried the child, hopping fromone toe to the other. 

"Run get it, Phronsie, " said Joel, "and I'll hang it up for you. 

"Why, it's two days before Christmas yet, " said Polly, laughing; "howthey'll look hanging there so long. "

"I don't care, " said Joel, giving a last thump to the nail; "we'rea-goin' to be ready. Oh, dear! I wish 'twas to-night!"

"Can't Seraphina hang up her stocking?" asked Phronsie, coming up toPolly's side; "and Baby, too?"

"Oh, let her have part of yours, " said Polly, "that'll bebest--Seraphina and Baby, and you have one stocking together. "

"Oh, yes, " cried Phronsie, easily pleased; "that'll be best. " So forthe next two days, they were almost distracted; the youngest ones askingcountless questions about Santa Claus, and how he possibly could getdown the chimney, Joel running his head up as far as he dared, to see ifit was big enough. 

"I guess he can, " he said, coming back in a sooty state, looking verymuch excited and delighted. 

"Will he be black like Joey?" asked Phronsie, pointing to his grimyface. 

"No, " said Polly; "he don't ever get black. "

"Why?" they all asked; and then, over and over, they wanted thedelightful mystery explained. 

"We never'll get through this day, " said Polly in despair, as the lastone arrived. "I wish 'twas to-night, for we're all ready. "

"Santy's coming! Santy's coming!" sang Phronsie, as the bright afternoonsunlight went down over the fresh, crisp snow, "for it's night now. "

"Yes, Santa is coming!" sang Polly; and "Santa Claus is coming, " rangback and forth through the old kitchen, till it seemed as if the threelittle old stockings would hop down and join in the dance going on somerrily. 

"I'm glad mine is red, " said Phronsie, at last, stopping in the wildjig, and going up to see if it was all safe, "cause then Santy'll knowit's mine, won't he, Polly?"

"Yes, dear, " cried Polly, catching her up. "Oh, Phronsie! you are goingto have a Christmas!"

"Well, I wish, " said Joel, "I had my name on mine! I know Dave'll getsome of my things. "

"Oh, no, Joe, " said Mrs. Pepper, "Santa Claus is smart; he'll know yoursis in the left-hand corner. "

"Will he?" asked Joel, still a little fearful. 

"Oh, yes, indeed, " said Mrs. Pepper, confidently. "I never knew him tomake a mistake. "

"Now, " said Ben, when they had all made a pretence of eating supper, for there was such an excitement prevailing that no one sat still longenough to eat much, "you must every one fly off to bed as quick as evercan be. "

"Will Santa Claus come faster then?" asked Joel. 

"Yes, " said Ben, "just twice as fast. "

"I'm going, then, " said Joel; "but I ain't going to sleep, 'cause I meanto hear him come over the roof; then I'm going to get up, for I do sowant a squint at the reindeer!"

"I am, too, " cried Davie, excitedly. "Oh, do come, Joe!" and he began tomount the stairs. 

"Good night, " said Phronsie, going up to the centre of thechimney-piece, where the little red stocking dangled limpsily, "lift meup, Polly, do. "

"What you want to do?" asked Polly, running and giving her a jump. "Whatyou goin' to do, Phronsie?"

"I want to kiss it good night, " said the child, with eyes big withanticipation and happiness, hugging the well worn toe of the little oldstocking affectionately. "I wish I had something to give Santa, Polly, Ido!" she cried, as she held her fast in her arms. 

"Never mind, Pet, " said Polly, nearly smothering her with kisses; "ifyou're a good girl, Phronsie, that pleases Santa the most of anything. "

"Does it?" cried Phronsie, delighted beyond measure, as Polly carriedher into the bedroom, "then I'll be good always, I will!"

CHRISTMAS BELLS!

In the middle of the night Polly woke up with a start. 

"What in the world!" said she, and she bobbed up her head and lookedover at her mother, who was still peacefully sleeping, and was justgoing to lie down again, when a second noise out in the kitchen made herpause and lean on her elbow to listen. At this moment she thought sheheard a faint whisper, and springing out of bed she ran to Phronsie'scrib--it was empty! As quick as a flash she sped out into the kitchen. There, in front of the chimney, were two figures. One was Joel, and theother, unmistakably, was Phronsie!

"What are you doing?" gasped Polly, holding on to a chair. 

The two little night-gowns turned around at this. 

"Why, I thought it was morning, " said Joel, "and I wanted my stocking. Oh!" as he felt the toe, which was generously stuffed, "give it to me, Polly Pepper, and I'll run right back to bed again!"

"Dear me!" said Polly; "and you, too, Phronsie! Why, it's the middle ofthe night! Did I ever!" and she had to pinch her mouth together tightto keep from bursting out into a loud laugh. "Oh, dear, I shall laugh!don't look so scared, Phronsie, there won't anything hurt you. " ForPhronsie who, on hearing Joel fumbling around the precious stockings, had been quite willing to hop out of bed and join him, had now, onPolly's saying the dire words "in the middle of the night, " scuttledover to her protecting side like a frightened rabbit. 

"It never'll be morning, " said Joel taking up first one cold toe andthen the other; "you might let us have 'em now, Polly. "

"No, " said Polly sobering down; "you can't have yours till Davie wakesup, too. Scamper off to bed, Joey, dear, and forget all about 'em--andit'll be morning before you know it. "

"Oh, I'd rather go to bed, " said Phronsie, trying to tuck up her feet inthe little flannel night-gown, which was rather short, "but I don't knowthe way back, Polly. Take me, Polly, do, " and she put up her arms to becarried. 

"Oh, I ain't a-goin' back alone, either, " whimpered Joel, coming up toPolly, too. 

"Why, you came down alone, didn't you?" whispered Polly, with a littlelaugh. 

"Yes, but I thought 'twas morning, " said Joel, his teeth chattering withsomething beside the cold. 

"Well, you must think of the morning that's coming, " said Polly, cheerily. "I'll tell you--you wait till I put Phronsie into the crib, and then I'll come back and go half-way up the stairs with you. "

"I won't never come down till it's mornin' again, " said Joel, bouncingalong the stairs, when Polly was ready to go with him, at a great rate. 

"Better not, " laughed Polly, softly. "Be careful and not wake Davie norBen. "

"I'm in, " announced Joel, in a loud whisper; and Polly could hear himsnuggle down among the warm bedclothes. "Call us when 'tis mornin', Polly. "

"Yes, " said Polly, "I will; go to sleep. "

Phronsie had forgotten stockings and everything else on Polly's return, and was fast asleep in the old crib. The result of it was that thechildren slept over, when morning did really come; and Polly had tokeep her promise, and go to the foot of the stairs and call--"MERRYCHRISTMAS! oh, Ben! and Joel! and Davie!"

"Oh!--oh!--oo-h!" and then the sounds that answered her, as withsmothered whoops of expectation they one and all flew into theirclothes!

Quick as a flash Joel and Davie were down and dancing around thechimney. 

"Mammy! mammy!" screamed Phronsie, hugging her stocking, which Benlifted her up to unhook from the big nail, "Santy did come, he did!" andthen she spun around in the middle of the floor, not stopping to look init. 

"Well, open it, Phronsie, " called Davie, deep in the exploring of hisown; "oh! isn't that a splendid wind-mill, Joe?"

"Yes, " said that individual, who, having found a big piece of molassescandy, was so engaged in enjoying a huge bite that, regardless alike ofhis other gifts or of the smearing his face was getting, he gave himselfwholly up to its delights. 

"Oh, Joey, " cried Polly, laughingly, "molasses candy for breakfast!"

"That's prime!" cried Joel, swallowing the last morsel. "Now I'm goingto see what's this--oh, Dave, see here! see here!" he cried in intenseexcitement, pulling out a nice little parcel which, unrolled, proved tobe a bright pair of stout mittens. "See if you've got some--look quick!"

"Yes, I have, " said David, picking up a parcel about as big. "No, that'smolasses candy. "

"Just the same as I had, " said Joel; "do look for the mittens. P'r'apsSanta Claus thought you had some--oh, dear!"

"Here they are!" screamed Davie. "I have got some, Joe, just exactlylike yours! See, Joe!"

"Goody!" said Joel, immensely relieved; for now he could quite enjoy histo see a pair on Davie's hands, also. "Look at Phron, " he cried, "shehasn't got only half of her things out!"

To tell the truth, Phronsie was so bewildered by her riches that shesat on the floor with the little red stocking in her lap, laughing andcooing to herself amid the few things she had drawn out. When she cameto Seraphina's bonnet she was quite overcome. She turned it over andover, and smoothed out the little white feather that had once adornedone of Grandma Bascom's chickens, until the two boys with theirstockings, and the others sitting around in a group on the floorwatching them, laughed in glee to see her enjoyment. 

"Oh, dear, " said Joel, at last, shaking his stocking; "I've got allthere is. I wish there were forty Christmases coming!"

"I haven't!" screamed Davie; "there's some thing in the toe. "

"It's an apple, I guess, " said Joel; "turn it up, Dave. "

"'Tisn't an apple, " exclaimed Davie, "tisn't round--it's long and thin;here 'tis. " And he pulled out a splendid long whistle on which he blewa blast long and terrible, and Joel immediately following, all quiet wasbroken up, and the wildest hilarity reigned. 

"I don't know as you'll want any breakfast, " at last said Mrs. Pepper, when she had got Phronsie a little sobered down. 

"I do, I do!" cried Joel. 

"Dear me! after your candy?" said Polly. 

"That's all gone, " said Joel, tooting around the table on his whistle. "What are we going to have for breakfast?"

"Same as ever, " said his mother; "it can't be Christmas all the time. "

"I wish 'twas, " said little Davie; "forever and ever!"

"Forever an' ever, " echoed little Phronsie, flying up, her cheeks liketwo pinks, and Seraphina in her arms with her bonnet on upside down. 

"Dear, dear, " said Polly, pinching Ben to keep still as they tumbleddown the little rickety steps to the Provision Room, after breakfast. The children, content in their treasures, were holding high carnival inthe kitchen. "Suppose they should find it out now--I declare I shouldfeel most awfully. Isn't it elegant?" she asked, in a subdued whisper, going all around and around the tree, magnificent in its dress of brightred and yellow balls, white festoons, and little candle-ends all readyfor lighting. "Oh, Ben, did you lock the door?"

"Yes, " he said. "That's a mouse, " he added, as a little rustling noisemade Polly stop where she stood back of the tree and prick up her earsin great distress of mind. "'Tis elegant, " he said, turning aroundin admiration, and taking in the tree which, as Polly said, was quite"gorgeous, " and the evergreen branches twisted up on the beams andrafters, and all the other festive arrangements. "Even Jappy's isn'tbetter, I don't believe!"

"I wish Jappy was here, " said Polly with a small sigh. 

"Well, he isn't, " said Ben; "come, we must go back into the kitchen, orall the children will be out here. Look your last, Polly; 'twon't do tocome again till it's time to light up. "

"Mammy says she'd rather do the lighting up, " said Polly. "Had she?"said Ben, in surprise; "oh, I suppose she's afraid we'll set somethin'a-fire. Well, then, we shan't come in till we have it. "

"I can't bear to go, " said Polly, turning reluctantly away; "it's mostbeautiful--oh, Ben, " and she faced him for the five-hundredth time withthe question, "is your Santa Claus dress all safe?"

"Yes, " said Ben, "I'll warrant they won't find that in one hurry! Such atime as we've had to make it!"

"I know it, " laughed Polly; "don't that cotton wool look just like bitsof fur, Ben?"

"Yes, " said Ben, "and when the flour's shaken over me it'll be Santahimself. "

"We've got to put back the hair into mamsie's cushion the first thingto-morrow, " whispered Polly anxiously, "and we mustn't forget it, Bensie. "

"I want to keep the wig awfully, " said Ben. "You did make that justmagnificent, Polly!"

"If you could see yourself, " giggled Polly; "did you put it in the strawbed? and are you sure you pulled the ticking over it smooth?"

"Yes, sir, " replied Ben, "sure's my name's Ben Pepper! if you'll onlykeep them from seeing me when I'm in it till we're ready--that's all Iask. "

"Well, " said Polly a little relieved, "but I hope Joe won't look. "

"Come on! they're a-comin'!" whispered Ben; "quick!"

"Polly!" rang a voice dangerously near; so near that Polly, speedingover the stairs to intercept it, nearly fell on her nose. 

"Where you been?" asked one. 

"Let's have a concert, " put in Ben; Polly was so out of breath that shecouldn't speak. "Come, now, each take a whistle, and we'll march roundand round and see which can make the biggest noise. "

In the rattle and laughter which this procession made all mystery wasforgotten, and the two conspirators began to breathe freer. 

Five o'clock! The small ones of the Pepper flock, being pretty welltired out with noise and excitement, all gathered around Polly and Ben, and clamored for a story. 

"Do, Polly, do, " begged Joel. "It's Christmas, and 'twon't come againfor a year. "

"I can't, " said Polly, in such a twitter that she could hardly standstill, and for the first time in her life refusing, "I can't think of athing. "

"I will then, " said Ben; "we must do something, " he whispered to Polly. 

"Tell it good, " said Joel, settling himself. 

So for an hour the small tyrants kept their entertainers well employed. 

"Isn't it growing awful dark?" said Davie, rousing himself at last, asBen paused to take breath. 

Polly pinched Ben. 

"Mammy's a-goin' to let us know, " he whispered in reply. "We must keepon a little longer. "

"Don't stop, " said Joel, lifting his head where he sat on the floor. "What you whisperin' for, Polly?"

"I'm not, " said Polly, glad to think she hadn't spoken. 

"Well, do go on, Ben, " said Joel, lying down again. 

"Polly'll have to finish it, " said Ben; "I've got to go upstairs now. "

So Polly launched out into such an extravagant story that they all, perforce, had to listen. 

All this time Mrs. Pepper had been pretty busy in her way. And now shecame into the kitchen and set down her candle on the table. "Children, "she said. Everybody turned and looked at her--her tone was so strange;and when they saw her dark eyes shining with such a new light, littleDavie skipped right out into the middle of the room. "What's the matter, mammy?"

"You may all come into the Provision Room, " said she. 

"What for?" shouted Joel, in amazement; while the others jumped to theirfeet, and stood staring. 

Polly flew around like a general, arranging her forces. "Let's marchthere, " said she; "Phronsie, you take hold of Davie's hand, and gofirst. "

"I'm goin' first, " announced Joel, squeezing up past Polly. "No, you mustn't, Joe, " said Polly decidedly; "Phronsie and David are theyoungest. "

"They're always the youngest, " said Joel, falling back with Polly to therear. 

"Forward! MARCH!" sang Polly. "Follow mamsie!"

Down the stairs they went with military step, and into the ProvisionRoom. And then, with one wild look, the little battalion broke ranks, and tumbling one over the other in decidedly unmilitary style, presenteda very queer appearance!

And Captain Polly was the queerest of all; for she just gave one gaze atthe tree, and then sat right down on the floor, and said, "Oh! OH!"

Mrs. Pepper was flying around delightedly, and saying, "Please to comeright in, " and "How do you do?"

And before anybody knew it, there were the laughing faces of Mrs. Henderson and the Parson himself, Doctor Fisher and old Grandma Bascom;while the two Henderson boys, unwilling to be defrauded of any of thefun, were squeezing themselves in between everybody else, and coming upto Polly every third minute, and saying, "There--aren't you surprised?"

"It's Fairyland!" cried little Davie, out of his wits with joy; "Oh!aren't we in Fairyland, ma?"

The whole room was in one buzz of chatter and fun; and everybody beamedon everybody else; and nobody knew what they said, till Mrs. Peppercalled, "Hush! Santa Claus is coming!"

A rattle at the little old window made everybody look there, just as agreat snow-white head popped up over the sill. 

"Oh!" screamed Joel, "'tis Santy!"

"He's a-comin' in!" cried Davie in chorus, which sent Phronsie flyingto Polly. In jumped a little old man, quite spry for his years; witha jolly, red face and a pack on his back, and flew into their midst, prepared to do his duty; but what should he do, instead of making hisspeech, "this jolly Old Saint--" but first fly up to Mrs. Pepper, andsay--"Oh, mammy how did you do it?"

"It's Ben!" screamed Phronsie; but the little Old Saint didn't hear, for he and Polly took hold of hands, and pranced around that tree whileeverybody laughed till they cried to see them go!

And then it all came out!

"Order!" said Parson Henderson in his deepest tones; and then he putinto Santa Claus' hands a letter, which he requested him to read. And the jolly Old Saint, although he was very old, didn't need anyspectacles, but piped out in Ben's loudest tones:

"Dear Friends--A Merry Christmas to you all! And that you'll have a goodtime, and enjoy it all as much as I've enjoyed my good times at yourhouse, is the wish of your friend, "JASPER ELYOT KING"

"Hurrah for Jappy!" cried Santa Claus, pulling his beard; and "Hurrahfor Jasper!" went all around the room; and this ended in three goodcheers--Phronsie coming in too late with her little crow--which was justas well, however!

"Do your duty now, Santa Claus!" commanded Dr. Fisher as master ofceremonies; and everything was as still as a mouse!

And the first thing she knew, a lovely brass cage, with a dear littlebird with two astonished black eyes dropped down into Polly's hands. Thecard on it said: "For Miss Polly Pepper, to give her music everyday inthe year. "

"Mammy, " said Polly; and then she did the queerest thing of the whole!she just burst into tears! "I never thought I should have a bird for myvery own!"

"Hulloa!" said Santa Claus, "I've got something myself!"

"Santa Claus' clothes are too old, " laughed Dr. Fisher, holding up astout, warm suit that a boy about as big as Ben would delight in. 

And then that wonderful tree just rained down all manner of lovelyfruit. Gifts came flying thick and fast, till the air seemed full, andeach one was greeted with a shout of glee, as it was put into thehands of its owner. A shawl flew down on Mrs. Pepper's shoulders; anda work-basket tumbled on Polly's head; and tops and balls and fishingpoles, sent Joel and David into a corner with howls of delight!

But the climax was reached when a large wax doll in a very gay pink silkdress, was put into Phronsie's hands, and Dr. Fisher, stooping down, read in loud tones: "FOR PHRONSIE, FROM ONE WHO ENJOYED HER GINGERBREADBOY. "

After that, nobody had anything to say! Books jumped down unnoticed, andgay boxes of candy. Only Polly peeped into one of her books, and sawin Jappy's plain hand--"I hope we'll both read this next summer. " Andturning over to the title-page, she saw "A Complete Manual of Cookery. "

"The best is to come, " said Mrs. Henderson in her gentle way. When therewas a lull in the gale, she took Polly's hand, and led her to alittle stand of flowers in the corner concealed by a sheet--pinks andgeraniums, heliotropes and roses, blooming away, and nodding theirpretty heads at the happy sight--Polly had her flowers. 

"Why didn't we know?" cried the children at last, when everybody wastying on their hoods, and getting their hats to leave the festive scene, "how could you keep it secret, mammy?"

"They all went to Mrs. Henderson's, " said Mrs. Pepper; "Jasper wrote me, and asked where to send 'em, and Mrs. Henderson was so kind as to saythat they might come there. And we brought 'em over last evening, whenyou were all abed. I couldn't have done it, " she said, bowing to theParson and his wife, "if 'twasn't for their kindness--never, in all thisworld!"

"And I'm sure, " said the minister, looking around on the bright group, "if we can help along a bit of happiness like this, it is a blessedthing!"

And here Joel had the last word. "You said 'twan't goin' to be Christmasalways, mammy. I say, " looking around on the overflow of treasures andthe happy faces--"it'll be just forever!"

EDUCATION AHEAD

After that they couldn't thank Jasper enough! They tried to, lovingly, and an elaborate letter of thanks, headed by Mrs. Pepper, was drawn upand sent with a box of the results of Polly's diligent study of Jasper'sbook. Polly stripped off recklessly her choicest buds and blossoms fromthe gay little stand of flowers in the corner, that had already begunto blossom, and tucked them into every little nook in the box that couldpossibly hold a posy. But as for thanking him enough!

"We can't do it, mammy, " said Polly, looking around on all the happyfaces, and then up at Cherry, who was singing in the window, and whoimmediately swelled up his little throat and poured out such a merryburst of song that she had to wait for him to finish. "No, not if wetried a thousand years!"

"I'm a-goin', " said Joel, who was busy as a bee with his new tools thatthe tree had shaken down for him, "to make Jappy the splendidest box youever saw, Polly! I guess that'll thank him!"

"Do, " cried Polly; "he'd be so pleased, Joey. "

"And I, " said Phronsie, over in the corner with her children, "I'm goin'to see my poor sick man sometime, Polly, I am!"

"Oh, dear!" cried Polly, whirling around, and looking at her motherin dismay. "She'll be goin' to-morrow! Oh, no, Phronsie, you can't; helives miles and miles away--oh, ever so far!"

"Does he live as far as the moon?" asked little Phronsie, carefullylaying Seraphina down, and looking up at Polly, anxiously. 

"Oh, I don't know, " said Polly, giving Cherry a piece of bread, andlaughing to see how cunning he looked. "Oh, no, of course not, but it'san awful long ways, Phronsie. "

"I don't care, " said Phronsie, determinedly, giving the new doll aloving little pat, "I'm goin' sometime, Polly, to thank my poor sickman, yes, I am!"

"You'll see him next summer, Phronsie, " sang Polly skipping around thekitchen, "and Jappy's sister Marian, the lovely lady, and all the boys. Won't that be nice?" and Polly stopped to pat the yellow head bending inmotherly attentions over her array of dolls. 

"Ye-es, " said Phronsie, slowly; "the whole of 'em, Polly?"

"Yes, indeed!" said Polly, gayly; "the whole of 'em, Phronsie!

"Hooray!" shouted the two boys, while Phronsie only gave a long sigh, and clasped her hands. 

"Better not be looking for summer, " said Mrs. Pepper, "until you doyour duty by the winter; then you can enjoy it, " and she took a freshneedleful of thread. 

"Mamsie's right, " said Ben, smiling over at her. And he threw downhis book and jumped for his cap. "Now for a good chop!" he cried, andsnatching a kiss from Phronsie, he rushed out of the door to his work, whistling as he went. 

"Warn't Mr. Henderson good, ma, " asked Polly, watching his retreatingfigure, "to give Ben learning?"

"Yes, he was, " replied Mrs. Pepper, enthusiastically. "We've got aparson, if anybody has in this world!"

"And Ben's learning, " said Polly, swelling with pride, as she sat downby her mother, and began to sew rapidly, "so that he'll be a big manright off! Oh, dear, " as a thought made her needle pause a minute in itsquick flying in and out. 

"What is it, Polly?" Mrs. Pepper looked keenly at the troubled face anddowncast eyes. 

"Why--" began Polly, and then she finished very slowly, "I shan't knowanything, and Ben'll be ashamed of me. 

"Yes, you will!" cried Mrs. Pepper, energetically, "you keep on trying, and the Lord'll send some way; don't you go to bothering your head aboutit now, Polly--it'll come when it's time. "

"Will it?" asked Polly, doubtfully, taking up her needle again. 

"Yes, indeed!" cried Mrs. Pepper, briskly; "come fly at your sewing;that's your learning now. "

"So 'tis, " said Polly, with a little laugh. "Now let's see which'll gettheir seam done first, mamsie?"

And now letters flew thick and fast from the city to the little brownhouse, and back again, warming Jasper's heart, and filling the tediousmonths of that winter with more of jollity and fun than the lad everenjoyed before; and never was fun and jollity more needed than now;for Mr. King, having nothing to do, and each year finding himself lessinclined to exercise any thoughtful energy for others, began to look atlife something in the light of a serious bore, and accordingly made itdecidedly disagreeable for all around him, and particularly for Jasperwho was his constant companion. But the boy was looking forward tosummer, and so held on bravely. 

"I do verily believe, Polly, " he wrote, "that Badgertown'll see thegayest times it ever knew! Sister Marian wants to go, so that's allright. Now, hurrah for a good time--it's surely coming!"

But alas! for Jasper! as spring advanced, his father took a decidedaversion to Hingham, Badgertown, and all other places that could bementioned in that vicinity. 

"It's a wretched climate, " he asserted, over and over; "and thefoundation of all my ill feelings this winter was laid, I'm convinced, in Hingham last summer. "

No use to urge the contrary; and all Jasper's pleadings were equallyvain. At last, sister Marian, who was kind-hearted to a fault, sorry tosee her brother's dismay and disappointment said, one day, "Why not haveone of the children come here? I should like it very much--do inviteBen. "

"I don't want Ben, " said Jasper gloomily, "I want Polly. " He added thisin much the same tone as Phronsie's when she had rushed up to him theday she was lost, declaring, "I want Polly!"

"Very well, then, " said sister Marian, laughing, "I'm sure I didn't meanto dictate which one; let it be Polly then; yes, I should prefer Pollymyself, I think, as we've enough boys now, " smiling to think of her ownbrood of wide awake youngsters. 

"If you only will, father, I'll try to be ever so good!" said Jasper, turning suddenly to his father. 

"Jasper needs some change, " said sister Marian kindly, "he really hasgrown very pale and thin. "

"Hey!" said Mr. King, sharply, looking at him over his eyeglasses. "Theboy's well enough; well enough!" But he twisted uneasily in his chair, all the same. At last he flung down his paper, twitched his fingersthrough his hair two or three times, and then burst out--"Well, whydon't you send for her? I'm sure I don't care--I'll write myself, and Ihad better do it now. Tell Thomas to be ready to take it right down; itmust get into this mail. "

When Mr. King had made up his mind to do anything, everybody else mustimmediately give up their individual plans, and stand out of the way forhim to execute his at just that particular moment! Accordingly Thomaswas dragged from his work to post the letter, while the old gentlemanoccupied the time in pulling out his watch every third second until theslightly-out-of-breath Thomas reported on his return that the letterdid get in. Then Mr. King settled down satisfied, and everything went onsmoothly as before. 

But Polly didn't come! A grateful, appreciative letter, expressed inMrs. Pepper's own stiff way, plainly showed the determination of thatgood woman not to accept what was such a favor to her child. 

In vain Mr. King stormed, and fretted, and begged, offering everyadvantage possible--Polly should have the best foundation for a musicaleducation that the city could afford; also lessons in the schoolroomunder the boys' private tutor--it was all of no avail. In vain sisterMarian sent a gentle appeal, fully showing her heart was in it; nothingbroke down Mrs. Pepper's resolve, until, at last, the old gentlemanwrote one day that Jasper, being in such failing health, really dependedon Polly to cheer him up. That removed the last straw that made it"putting one's self under an obligation, " which to Mrs. Pepper'sindependent soul, had seemed insurmountable. 

And now, it was decided that Polly was really to go! and pretty soon allBadgertown knew that Polly Pepper was going to the big city. And therewasn't a man, woman, or child but what greatly rejoiced that a sunnytime was coming to one of the chicks in the little brown house. Withmany warm words, and some substantial gifts, kind friends helped forwardthe "outing. " Only one person doubted that this delightful chance shouldbe grasped at once--and that one was Polly herself!

"I can't, " she said, and stood quite pale and still, when the Hendersonsadvised her mother's approval, and even Grandma Bascom said, "Go. " "Ican't go and leave mammy to do all the work. "

"But don't you see, Polly, " said Mrs. Henderson, drawing her to herside, "that you will help your mother twice as much as you possiblycould here, by getting a good education? Think what your music will be;only think, Polly!"

Polly drew a long breath at this and turned away. 

"Oh, Polly!" cried Ben, though his voice choked, "if you give this up, there never'll be another chance, " and the boy put his arm around her, and whispered something in her ear. 

"I know, " said Polly quietly--and then she burst out, "oh, but I can't!'tisn't right. "

"Polly, " said Mrs. Pepper--and never in all their lives had the childrenseen such a look in mamsie's eyes as met them then; "it does seem asif my heart would be broken if you didn't go!" And then she burst outcrying, right before them all!

"Oh mammy, " cried Polly, breaking away from everybody, and flingingherself into her arms. "I'll go--if you think I ought to. But it's toogood! don't cry--don't, mammy dear, " and Polly stroked the careworn facelovingly, and patted the smooth hair that was still so black. 

"And, Polly, " said Mrs. Pepper, smiling through her tears, "just thinkwhat a comfort you'll be to me, and us all, " she added, taking in thechildren who were crowding around Polly as the centre of attraction. "Why, you'll be the making of us, " she added hopefully. 

"I'll do something, " said Polly, her brown eyes kindling, "or I shan'tbe worthy of you, mammy. "

"O, you'll do it, " said Mrs. Pepper, confidently, "now that you'regoing. "

But when Polly stepped into the stage, with her little hair trunkstrapped on behind, containing her one brown merino that Mrs. Hendersonhad made over for her out of one of her own, and her two new ginghams, her courage failed again, and she astonished everybody, and nearly upseta mild-faced old lady who was in the corner placidly eating doughnuts, by springing out and rushing up through the little brown gate, pastall the family, drawn up to see her off. She flew over the old flatdoor-stone, and into the bedroom, where she flung herself down betweenthe old bed and Phronsie's crib, in a sudden torrent of tears. "I can'tgo!" she sobbed--"oh I can't!"

"Why, Polly!" cried Mrs. Pepper, hurrying in, followed by Joel and therest of the troops at his heels. "What are you thinking of!"

"Think of by-and-by, Polly, " put in Ben, patting her on the back withan unsteady hand, while Joel varied the proceedings by running backand forth, screaming at the top of his lungs, "The stage's going! yourtrunk'll be taken!"

"Dear me!" ejaculated Mrs. Pepper, "do stop it somebody! there, Polly, come now! Do as mother says!"

"I'll try again, " said poor Polly, choking back her sobs, and getting onher feet. 

Then Polly's tears were wiped away, her hat straightened, after whichshe was kissed all round again by the whole family, Phronsie waitingfor the last two, and then was helped again into the stage, the bags andparcels, and a box for Jappy, which, as it wouldn't go into the trunk, Joel had insisted Polly should carry in her hand, were again piledaround her, and Mr. Tisbett mounted to his seat, and with a crack of thewhip, bore her safely off this time. 

The doughnut lady, viewing poor Polly with extreme sympathy, immediatelyforced upon her acceptance three of the largest and sugariest. 

"Twill do you good, " she said, falling to, herself, on another withgood zeal. "I always eat 'em, and then there ain't any room forhomesickness!"

And away, and away, and away they rumbled and jumbled to the cars. 

Here Mr. Tisbett put Polly and her numerous bundles under the care ofthe conductor, with manifold charges and explicit directions, to see hersafely into Mr. King's own hands. He left her sitting straight up amongher parcels, her sturdy little figure drawn up to its full height, andthe clear brown eyes regaining a little of their dancing light; foralthough a dreadful feeling tugged at her heart, as she thought of thelittle brown house she was fast flying away from, there was somethingelse; our Polly had begun to realize that now she was going to "helpmother. "

And now they neared the big city, and everybody began to bustle around, and get ready to jump out, and the minute the train stopped, the crowdpoured out from the cars, making way for the crowd pouring in, for thiswas a through train. 

"All aboard!" sang the conductor. "Oh my senses!" springing to Polly; "Iforgot you--here!"

But as quick as a flash he was pushed aside, and a bright, boyish figuredashed up. 

"Oh, Polly!" he said in such a ringing voice! and in another second, Polly and her bag, and the bundle of cakes and apples that GrandmaBascom had put up for her, and Joel's box, were one and all bundledout upon the platform, and the train whizzed on, and there Mr. King wasfuming up and down, berating the departing conductor, and speakinghis mind in regard to all the railroad officials he could think of. Hepulled himself up long enough to give Polly a hearty welcome; and thenaway again he flew in righteous indignation, while Jasper rushed offinto the baggage room with Polly's check. 

However, every now and then, turning to look down into the little rosyface beside him, the old gentleman would burst forth, "Bless me, child!I'm glad you're here, Polly!--how could the fellow forget when--"

"Oh well, you know, " said Polly, with a happy little wriggle under herbrown coat, "I'm here now. "

"So you are! so you are!" laughed the old gentleman suddenly; "where canJasper be so long. "

"They're all in the carriage, " answered the boy skipping back. "Now, father! now Polly!"

He was fairly bubbling over with joy and Mr. King forgot his dudgeon andjoined in the general glee, which soon became so great that travellersgave many a glance at the merry trio who bundled away to Thomas and thewaiting grays. 

"You're sure you've got the right check?" asked Mr. King, nervously, getting into a handsome coach lined with dark green satin, and settlingdown among its ample cushions with a sigh of relief. 

"Oh yes, " laughed Jasper; "Polly didn't have any one else's check, Iguess. "

Over through the heart of the city, down narrow, noisy businessstreets, out into wide avenues, with handsome stately mansions on eitherside--they flew along. 

"Oh, " said Polly; and then she stopped, and blushed very hard. 

"What is it, my dear?" asked Mr. King, kindly. 

Polly couldn't speak at first, but when Jasper stopped his merry chatand begged to know what it was, she turned on him, and burst out, "Youlive here?"

"Why, yes, " laughed the boy; "why not?"

"Oh!" said Polly again, her cheeks as red as two roses, "it's solovely!"

And then the carriage turned in at a brown stone gateway, and windingup among some fine old trees, stopped before a large, stately residencethat in Polly's eyes seemed like one of the castles of Ben's famousstories. And then Mr. King got out, and gallantly escorted Polly out, and up the steps, while Jasper followed with Polly's bag which hecouldn't be persuaded to resign to Thomas. A stiff waiter held the dooropen--and then, the rest was only a pleasant, confused jumble of kindwelcoming words, smiling faces, with a background of high spaciouswalls, bright pictures, and soft elegant hangings, everything and allinextricably mixed--till Polly herself seemed floating--away--away, fastto the Fairyland of her dreams; now, Mr. King was handing her around, like a precious parcel, from one to the other--now Jasper was bobbingin and out everywhere, introducing her on all sides, and then Princewas jumping up and trying to lick her face every minute--but best of allwas, when a lovely face looked down into hers, and Jasper's sister bentto kiss her. 

"I am very glad to have you here, little Polly. " The words were simple, but Polly, lifting up her clear brown eyes, looked straight into theheart of the speaker, and from that moment never ceased to love her. 

"It was a good inspiraton, " thought Mrs. Whitney to herself; "thislittle girl is going to be a comfort, I know. " And then she set herselfto conduct successfully her three boys into friendliness and goodfellowship with Polly, for each of them was following his own sweet willin the capacity of host, and besides staring at her with all his might, was determined to do the whole of the entertaining, a state of thingswhich might become unpleasant. However, Polly stood it like a veteran. 

"This little girl must be very tired, " said Mrs. Whitney, at last with abright smile. "Besides I am going to have her to myself now. "

"Oh, no, no, " cried little Dick in alarm; "why, she's just come; we wantto see her. "

"For shame, Dick!" said Percy, the eldest, a boy of ten years, who tookevery opportunity to reprove Dick in public; "she's come a great ways, so she ought to rest, you know. "

"You wanted her to come out to the greenhouse yourself, you know youdid, " put in Van, the next to Percy, who never would be reproved orpatronized, "only she wouldn't go. "

"You'll come down to dinner, " said Percy, politely, ignoring Van. "Thenyou won't be tired, perhaps. "

"Oh, I'm not very tired now, " said Polly, brightly, with a merry littlelaugh, "only I've never been in the cars before, and--"

"Never been in the cars before!" exclaimed Van, crowding up, while Percymade a big round O with his mouth, and little Dick's eyes stretched totheir widest extent. 

"No, " said Polly simply, "never in all my life. "

"Come, dear, " said sister Marian, rising quickly, and taking Polly'shand; while Jasper, showing unmistakable symptoms of pitching into allthe three boys, followed with the bag. 

Up the broad oak staircase they went, Polly holding by Mrs. Whitney'ssoft hand, as if for dear life, and Jasper tripping up two steps at atime, in front of them. They turned after reaching the top, down a hallsoft to the foot and brightly lighted. 

"Now, Polly, " said sister Marian, "I'm going to have you here, rightnext to my dressing room; this is your nest, little bird, and I hopeyou'll be very happy in it. "

And here Mrs. Whitney turned up the gas, and then, just because shecouldn't help it, gathered Polly up in her arms without another word. Jasper set down the bag on a chair, and came and stood by his sister'sside, looking down at her as she stroked the brown wavy hair on herbosom. 

"It's so nice to have Polly here, sister, " he said, and he put his handon Mrs. Whitney's neck; and then with the other hand took hold of bothof Polly's chubby ones, who looked up and smiled; and in that smile thelittle brown house seemed to hop right out, and bring back in a flashall the nice times those eight happy weeks had brought him. 

"Oh, 'twas so perfectly splendid, sister Marian, " he cried, flinginghimself down on the floor by her chair. "You don't know what good timeswe had--does she, Polly?" and then he launched out into a perfectshower of "Don't you remember this?" or "Oh, Polly! you surely haven'tforgotten that!" Mrs. Whitney good naturedly entering into it andenjoying it all with them, until, warned by the lateness of the hour, she laughingly reminded Jasper of dinner, and dismissed him to preparefor it. 

When the three boys saw Polly coming in again, they welcomed her witha cordial shout, for one and all, after careful measurement of her, had succumbed entirely to Polly; and each was unwilling that the othersshould get ahead of him in her regard. 

"This is your seat, Polly, " said sister Marian, touching the chair nextto her own. 

Thereupon a small fight ensued between the little Whitneys, while Jasperlooked decidedly discomfited. 

"Let Polly sit next to me, " said Van, as if a seat next to him was ofall things most to be desired. 

"Oh, no, I want her, " said little Dick. 

"Pshaw, Dick! you're too young, " put in Percy. "You'd spill the breadand butter all over her. "

"I wouldn't either, " said little Dick, indignantly, and beginning tocrawl into his seat; "I don't spill bread and butter, now Percy, youknow. "

"See here, " said Jasper, decidedly, "she's coming up here by fatherand me; that is, sister Marian, " he finished more politely, "if you'rewilling. "

All this while Polly had stood quietly watching the group, the big, handsome table, the bright lights, and the well-trained servants witha curious feeling at her heart--what were the little-brown-house-peopledoing?

"Polly shall decide it, " said sister Marian, laughing. "Now, wherewill you sit, dear?" she added, looking down on the little quiet figurebeside her. 

"Oh, by Jappy, please, " said Polly, quickly, as if there could be nodoubt; "and kind Mr. King, " she added, smiling at him. 

"That's right; that's right, my dear, " cried the old gentleman, pleasedbeyond measure at her honest choice. And he pulled out her chair, andwaited upon her into it so handsomely that Polly was happy at once;while Jasper, with a proud toss of his dark, wavy hair, marched updelightedly, and took the chair on her other side. 

And now, in two or three minutes it seemed as if Polly had always beenthere; it was the most natural thing in the world that sister Marianshould smile down the table at the bright-faced narrator, who answeredall their numerous questions, and entertained them all with accounts ofBen's skill, of Phronsie's cunning ways, of the boys who made fun forall, and above everything else of the dear mother whom they all longedto help, and of all the sayings and doings in the little brown house. Nowonder that the little boys forgot to eat; and for once never thought ofthe attractions of the table. And when, as they left the table at last, little Dick rushed impulsively up to Polly, and flinging himself intoher arms, declared, "I love you!--and you're my sister!" Nothing morewas needed to make Polly feel at home. 

"Yes, " said Mrs. Whitney, and nodded to herself in the saying, "it was agood thing; and a comfort, I believe, has come to this house this day!"

BRAVE WORK AND THE REWARD

And on the very first morrow came Polly's music teacher!

The big drawing-room, with its shaded light and draped furniture, withits thick soft carpet, on which no foot-fall could be heard, with allits beauty and loveliness on every side was nothing to Polly's eyes, only the room that contained the piano!

That was all she saw! And when the teacher came he was simply the Fairy(an ugly little one, it is true, but still a most powerful being) whowas to unlock its mysteries, and conduct her into Fairyland itself. Hewas a homely little Frenchman, with a long, curved nose, and an enormousblack moustache, magnificently waxed, who bowed elaborately, and calledher "Mademoiselle Pep-paire;" but he had music in his soul, and Pollycouldn't reverence him too much. 

And now the big piano gave out new sounds; sounds that told of a strongpurpose and steady patience. Every note was struck for mother and thehome brood. Monsieur Tourtelotte, after watching her keenly out of hislittle black eyes, would nod to himself like a mandarin, and the nodwould be followed by showers of extra politeness, as his appreciation ofher patient energy and attention. 

Every chance she could get, Polly would steal away into the drawing-roomfrom Jappy and the three boys and all the attractions they could offer, and laboriously work away over and over at the tedious scales andexercises that were to be stepping-stones to so much that was gloriousbeyond. Never had she sat still for so long a time in her active littlelife; and now, with her arms at just such an angle, with the stiff, chubby fingers kept under training and restraint--well, Polly realized, years after, that only her love of the little brown house could everhave kept her from flying up and spinning around in perfect despair. 

"She likes it!" said Percy, in absolute astonishment, one day, whenPolly had refused to go out driving with all the other children in thepark, and had gone resolutely, instead, into the drawing-room and shutthe door. "She likes those hateful old exercises and she don't likeanything else. "

"Much you know about it, " said Jappy; "she's perfectly aching to go, nowPercy Whitney!"

"Well, why don't she then?" said Percy, opening his eyes to their widestextent. 

"Cause, " said Jasper, stopping on his way to the door to look him fullin the face, "she's commenced to learn to play, and there won't anythingstop her. "

"I'm going to try, " said Percy, gleefully. "I know lots of ways I can doto try, anyway. "

"See here, now, " said Jasper, turning back, "you let her alone! Doyou hear?" he added, and there must have been something in his eye tocommand attention, for Percy instantly signified his intention not totease this young music student in the least. 

"Come on then, old fellow, " and Jasper swung his cap on his head, "Thomas will be like forty bears if we keep him waiting much longer. "

And Polly kept at it steadily day after day; getting through with thelessons in the schoolroom as quickly as possible to rush to her music, until presently the little Frenchman waxed enthusiastic to that degreethat, as day after day progressed and swelled into weeks, and eachlesson came to an end, he would skip away on the tips of his toes, hisnose in the air, and the waxed ends of his moustache, fairly tremblingwith delight, "Ah, such patience as Mademoiselle Pep-paire has! I knowno other such little Americane!"

"I think, " said Jasper one evening after dinner, when all the childrenwere assembled as usual in their favorite place on the big rug in frontof the fire in the library, Prince in the middle of the group, his headon his paws, watching everything in infinite satisfaction, "that Polly'sgetting on in music as I never saw anyone do; and that's a fact!"

"I mean to begin, " said Van, ambitiously, sitting up straight andstaring at the glowing coals. "I guess I will to-morrow, " whichannouncement was received with a perfect shout--Van's taste beinganything rather than of a musical nature. 

"If you do, " said Jappy, when the merriment had a little subsided, "Ishall go out of the house at every lesson; there won't anyone stay init, Van. "

"I can bang all I want to, then, " said Van, noways disturbed by thereflection, and pulling one of Prince's long ears, "you think you're sobig, Jappy, just because you're thirteen. "

"He's only three ahead of me, Van, " bristled Percy, who never couldforgive Jappy for being his uncle, much less the still greater sin ofhaving been born three years earlier than himself. 

"Three's just as bad as four, " said Van. 

"Let's tell stories, " began Polly, who never could remember such goingson in the little brown house; "we must each tell one, " she added withthe greatest enthusiasm, "and see which will be the biggest and thebest. "

"Oh, no, " said Van, who perfectly revelled in Polly's stories, and whonow forgot his trials in the prospect of one, "You tell, Polly--you tellalone. "

"Yes, do, Polly, " said Jasper; "we'd rather. "

So Polly launched out into one of her gayest and finest; and soonthey were in such a peal of laughter, and had reached such heights ofenjoyment, that Mr. King popped his head in at the door, and then camein, and took a seat in a big rocking-chair in the corner to hear the fungo on. 

"Oh, dear, " said Van, leaning back with a long sigh, and wiping hisflushed face as Polly wound up with a triumphant flourish, 'how ever doyou think of such things, Polly Pepper?

"That isn't anything, " said Jappy, bringing his handsome face out intothe strong light; "why, it's just nothing to what she has told time andagain in the little brown house in Badgertown;" and then he caughtsight of Polly's face, which turned a little pale in the firelight as hespoke; and the brown eyes had such a pathetic droop in them that it wentto the boy's very heart. 

Was Polly homesick? and so soon!

POLLY IS COMFORTED

Yes, it must be confessed. Polly was homesick. All her imaginations ofher mother's hard work, increased by her absence, loomed up before her, till she was almost ready to fly home without a minute's warning. Atnight, when no one knew it, the tears would come racing over the poor, forlorn little face, and would not be squeezed back. It got to benoticed finally; and one and all redoubled their exertions to makeeverything twice as pleasant as ever!

The only place, except in front of the grand piano, where Pollyapproached a state of comparative happiness, was in the greenhouse. 

Here she would stay, comforted and soothed among the lovely plants andrich exotics, rejoicing the heart of Old Turner the gardener, who sincePolly's first rapturous entrance, had taken her into his good graces forall time. 

Every chance she could steal after practice hours were over, and afterthe clamorous demands of the boys upon her time were fully satisfied, was seized to fly on the wings of the wind, to the flowers. 

But even with the music and flowers the dancing light in the eyes wentdown a little; and Polly, growing more silent and pale, moved aroundwith a little droop to the small figure that had only been wont to flythrough the wide halls and spacious rooms with gay and springing step. 

"Polly don't like us, " at last said Van one day in despair. "Then, dear, " said Mrs. Whitney, "you must be kinder to her than ever;think what it would be for one of you to be away from home even amongfriends. "

"I'd like it first rate to be away from Percy, " said Van, reflectively;"I wouldn't come back in three, no, six weeks. "

"My son, " said his mamma, "just stop and think how badly you would feel, if you really couldn't see Percy. "

"Well, " said Van, and he showed signs of relenting a little at that;"but Percy is perfectly awful, mamma, you don't know; and he feels sosmart too, " he said vindictively. 

"Well, " said Mrs. Whitney, softly, "let's think what we can do forPolly; it makes me feel very badly to see her sad little face. "

"I don't know, " said Van, running over in his mind all the possible wayshe could think of for entertaining anybody, "unless she'd like my newbook of travels--or my velocipede, " he added. 

"I'm afraid those wouldn't quite answer the purpose, " said his mamma, smiling--"especially the last; yet we must think of something. "

But just here Mr. King thought it about time to take matters into hishands. So, with a great many chucklings and shruggings when no one wasby, he had departed after breakfast one day, simply saying he shouldn'tbe back to lunch. 

Polly sat in the drawing-room, near the edge of the twilight, practicingaway bravely. Somehow, of all the days when the home feeling was thestrongest, this day it seemed as if she could bear it no longer. If shecould only see Phronsie for just one moment! "I shall have to give up!"she moaned. "I can't bear it!" and over went her head on the music rack. 

"Where is she?" said a voice over in front of the piano, in thegathering dusk--unmistakably Mr. King's. 

"Oh, she's always at the piano, " said Van. "She must be there now, somewhere, " and then somebody laughed. Then came in the loudest ofwhispers from little Dick, "Oh, Jappy, what'll she say?"

"Hush!" said one of the other boys; "do be still, Dick!"

Polly sat up very straight, and whisked off the tears quickly. Up cameMr. King with an enormous bundle in his arms; and he marched up to thepiano, puffing with his exertions. 

"Here, Polly, hold your arms, " he had only strength to gasp. And then hebroke out into a loud burst of merriment, in which all the troop joined, until the big room echoed with the sound. 

At this, the bundle opened suddenly, and--out popped Phronsie!

"Here I'm! I'm here, Polly!"

But Polly couldn't speak; and if Jasper hadn't caught her just in time, she would have tumbled over backward from the stool, Phronsie and all!

"Aren't you glad I've come, Polly?" asked Phronsie, with her little faceclose to Polly's own. 

That brought Polly to. "Oh, Phronsie!" she cried, and strained her toher heart; while the boys crowded around, and plied her with suddenquestions. 

"Now you'll stay, " cried Van; "say, Polly, won't you. "

"Weren't you awfully surprised?" cried Percy; "say, Polly, awfully?"

"Is her name Phronsie, " put in Dick, unwilling to be left out, and notthinking of anything else to ask. 

"Boys, " whispered their mother, warningly, "she can't answer you; justlook at her face. "

And to be sure, our Polly's face was a study to behold. All its oldsunniness was as nothing to the joy that now transfigured it. 

"Oh!" she cried, coming out of her rapture a little, and springing overto Mr. King with Phronsie still in her arms. "Oh, you are the dearestand best Mr. King I ever saw! but how did you make mammy let her come?"

"Isn't he splendid!" cried Jasper in intense pride, swelling up. "Fatherknew how to do it. "

But Polly's arms were around the old gentleman's neck, so she didn'thear. "There, there, " he said soothingly, patting her brown, fuzzy head. Something was going down the old gentleman's neck, that wet his collar, and made him whisper very tenderly in her ear, "don't give way now, Polly; Phronsie'll see you. "

"I know, " gasped Polly, controlling her sobs; "I won't--only--I can'tthank you!"

"Phronsie, " said Jasper quickly, "what do you suppose Prince said theother day?"

"What?" asked Phronsie in intense interest slipping down out of Polly'sarms, and crowding up close to Jasper's side. "What did he, Jasper?"

"Oh-ho, how funny!" laughed Van, while little Dick burst right out, "Japser!"

"Be still, " said Jappy warningly, while Phronsie stood surveying themall with grave eyes. 

"Well, I asked him, 'Don't you want to see Phronsie Pepper, Prince?' Anddo you know, he just stood right upon his hind legs, Phronsie, and said:'Bark! yes, Bark! Bark!'"

"Did he really, Jasper?" cried Phronsie, delighted beyond measure; andclasping her hands in rapture, "all alone by himself?"

"Yes, all alone by himself, " asserted Jasper, vehemently, and winkingfuriously to the others to stop their laughing; "he did now, truly, Phronsie. "

"Then mustn't I go and see him now, Jasper? yes, pretty soon now?"

"So you must, " cried Jasper, enchanted at his success in amusing; "andI'll go with you. "

"Oh, no, " cried Phronsie, shaking her yellow head. "Oh no, Jasper; Imust go by my very own self. "

"There Jap, you've caught it, " laughed Percy; while the others screamedat the sight of Jasper's face. 

"Oh Phronsie!" cried Polly, turning around at the last words; "how couldyou!"

"Don't mind it, Polly, " whispered Jasper; "twasn't her fault. "

"Phronsie, " said Mrs. Whitney, smilingly, stooping over the child, "would you like to see a little pussy I have for you?"

But the chubby face didn't look up brightly, as usual: and the nextmoment, without a bit of warning, Phronsie sprang past them all, evenPolly, and flung herself into Mr. King's arms, in a perfect torrent ofsobs. "Oh! let's go back!" was all they heard!

"Dear me!" ejaculated the old gentleman, in the utmost amazement; "andsuch a time as I've had to get her here too!" he added, staring aroundon the astonished group, none of whom had a word to say. 

But Polly stood like a statue! All Jasper's frantic efforts at comfort, utterly failed. To think that Phronsie had left her for any one!--evengood Mr. King! The room seemed to buzz, and everything to turn upsidedown--and just then, she heard another cry--"Oh, I want Polly, I do!"

With a bound, Polly was at Mr. King's side, with her face on his coat, close to the little tear-stained one. The fat, little arms unclaspedtheir hold, and transferred themselves willingly to Polly's neck; andPhronsie hugged up comfortingly to Polly's heart, who poured into herear all the loving words she had so longed to say. 

Just then there was a great rush and a scuffling noise; and somethingrushed up to Phronsie "Oh!" And then the next minute, she had her armsaround Prince's neck, too, who was jumping all over her and trying ashard as he could, to express his overwhelming delight. 

"She's the cunningest little thing I ever saw, " said Mrs. Whitney, enthusiastically, afterward, aside to Mr. King. "Such lovely yellowhair, and such exquisite brown eyes--the combination is very striking. How did her mother ever let her go?" she asked impulsively, "I didn'tbelieve you could persuade her, father. "

"I didn't have any fears, if I worked it rightly, " said the oldgentleman complacently. "I wasn't coming without her, Marian, if itcould possibly be managed. The truth is, that Phronsie had been piningfor Polly to such an extent, that there was no other way but for herto have Polly; and her mother was just on the point, although it almostkilled her, of sending for Polly--as if we should have let her go!" hecried in high dudgeon; just as if he owned the whole of the Peppers, andcould dispose of them all to suit his fancy! "So you see, I was just intime; in the very nick of time, in fact!"

"So her mother was willing?" asked his daughter, curiously. "Oh, shecouldn't help it, " cried Mr. King, beginning to walk up and down thefloor, and beaming as he recalled his successful strategy; "there wasn'tthe smallest use in thinking of anything else. I told her 'twould juststop Polly from ever being a musician if she broke off now--and so'twould, you know yourself, Marian, for we should never get the childhere again, if we let her go now; and I talked--well, I had to talksome; but, well--the upshot is I did get her, and I did bring her--andhere she is!" And the old gentleman was so delighted with his success, that he had to burst out into a series of short, happy bits of laughter, that occupied quite a space of time. At last he came out of them, andwiped his face vigorously. 

"And to think how fond the little girl is of you, father!" said Mrs. Whitney, who hadn't yet gotten over her extreme surprise at the oldgentleman's complete subjection to the little Peppers: he, whom allchildren had by instinct always approached so carefully, and whom everyone found it necessary to conciliate!

"Well, she's a nice child, " he said, "a very nice child; and, "straightening himself up to his fullest height, and looking so veryhandsome, that his daughter could not conceal her admiration, "I shallalways take care of Phronsie Pepper, Marian!"

"So I hope, " said Mrs. Whitney; "and father, I do believe they'll repayyou; for I do think there's good blood there; these children have a lookabout them that shows them worthy to be trusted. "

"So they have: so they have, " assented Mr. King, and then theconversation dropped. 

PHRONSIE

Phronsie was toiling up and down the long, oak staircase the nextmorning; slowly going from one step to the other, drawing each littlefat foot into place laboriously, but with a pleased expression on herface that only gave some small idea of the rapture within. Up and downshe had been going for a long time, perfectly fascinated; seeming tocare for nothing else in the world but to work her way up to the top ofthe long flight, only to turn and come down again. She had been goingon so for some time, till at last, Polly, who was afraid she would tireherself all out, sat down at the foot and begged and implored the littlegirl, who had nearly reached the top, to stop and rest. 

"You'll be tired to death, Phronsie!" she said, looking up at the smallfigure on its toilsome journey. "Why you must have gone up a milliontimes! Do sit down, pet; we're all going out riding, Phronsie, thisafternoon; and you can't go if you're all tired out. "

"I won't be tired, Polly, " said Phronsie, turning around and looking ather, "do let me go just once more!"

"Well, " said Polly, who never could refuse her anything, "just once, Phronsie, and then you must stop. "

So Phronsie kept on her way rejoicing, while Polly still sat on thelowest stair, and drummed impatiently on the stair above her, waitingfor her to get through. 

Jappy came through the hall and found them thus. "Halloa, Polly!" hesaid, stopping suddenly; "what's the matter?"

"Oh, Phronsie's been going so, " said Polly, looking up at the littlefigure above them, which had nearly reached the top in delight, "that Ican't stop her. She has really, Jappy, almost all the morning; you can'tthink how crazy she is over it. "

"Is that so?" said Jasper, with a little laugh. "Hulloa, Phronsie, isit nice?" and he tossed a kiss to the little girl, and then sat down byPolly. 

"Oh, " said Phronsie, turning to come down, "it's the beyew-tiflest placeI ever saw, Jasper! the very be-yew-tiflest!"

"I wish she could have her picture painted, " whispered Jasper, enthusiastically. "Look at her now, Polly, quick!"

"Yes, " said Polly, "isn't she sweet!"

"Sweet!" said Jasper. "I should think she was!"

The sunlight through an oriel window fell on the childish face andfigure, glinting the yellow hair, and lighting up the radiant face, thatyet had a tender, loving glance for the two who waited for her below. One little foot was poised, just in the act of stepping down to the nextlower stair, and the fat hand grasped the polished railing, expressiveof just enough caution to make it truly childish. In after years Jaspernever thought of Phronsie without bringing up this picture on that Aprilmorning, when Polly and he sat at the foot of the stairs, and looked upand saw it. 

"Where's Jap?" called one of the boys; and then there was a clatter outinto the hall. 

"What are you doing?" and Van came to a full stop of amazement andstared at them. 

"Resting, " said Jappy, concisely, "what do you want, Van?"

"I want you, " said Van, "we can't do anything without you, Jappy; youknow that. "

"Very well, " said Jasper, getting up. "Come on, Polly, we must go. "

"And Phronsie, " said Van, anxiously, looking up to Phronsie, who hadnearly reached them by this time, "we want her, too. "

"Of course, " said Polly, running up and meeting her to give her a hug;"I don't go unless she does. "

"Where are we going, Polly?" asked Phronsie, looking back longingly toher beloved stairs as she was borne off. 

"To the greenhouse, chick!" said Jasper, "to help Turner; and it'll begood fun, won't it, Polly?"

"What is a greenhouse?" asked the child, wonderingly. "All green, Jasper?"

"Oh, dear me, " said Van, doubling up, "do you suppose she thinks it'spainted green?"

"It's green inside, Phronsie, dear, " said Jasper, kindly, "and that'sthe best of all. "

When Phronsie was really let loose in the greenhouse she thought itdecidedly best of all; and she went into nearly as much of a rapture asPolly did on her first visit to it. 

In a few moments she was cooing and jumping among the plants, while oldTurner, staid and particular as he was, laughed to see her go. 

"She's your sister, Miss Mary, ain't she?" at last he asked, as Phronsiebent lovingly over a little pot of heath, and just touched one littleleaf carefully with her finger. 

"Yes, " said Polly, "but she don't look like me. "

"She is like you, " said Turner, respectfully, "if she don't look likeyou; and the flowers know it, too, " he added, "and they'll love to seeher coming, just as they do you. "

For Polly had won the old gardener's heart completely by her passionatelove for flowers, and nearly every morning a little nosegay, fresh andbeautiful, came up to the house for "Miss Mary. "

And now nobody liked to think of the time, or to look back to it, whenPhronsie hadn't been in the house. When the little feet went patteringthrough halls and over stairs, it seemed to bring sunshine and happinessinto every one's heart just to hear the sounds. Polly and the boys inthe schoolroom would look up from their books and nod away brightly toeach other, and then fall to faster than ever on their lessons, to getthrough the quicker to be with her again. 

One thing Phronsie always insisted on, and kept to itpertinaciously--and that was to go into the drawing-room with Pollywhen she went to practice, and there, with one of her numerous family ofdolls, to sit down quietly in some corner and wait till she got through. 

Day after day she did it, until Polly, who was worried to think howtedious it must be for her, would look around and say, "Oh, childie, dorun out and play. "

"I want to stay, " Phronsie would beg in an injured tone; "please let me, Polly. "

So Polly would jump and give her a kiss, and then, delighted to knowthat she was there, would go at her practicing with twice the vigor andenthusiasm. 

But Phronsie's chief occupation, at least when she wasn't with Polly, was the entertainment and amusement of Mr. King. And never was she verylong absent from his side, which so pleased the old gentleman thathe could scarcely contain himself, as with a gravity befitting theimportance of her office, she would follow him around in a happycontented way, that took with him immensely. And now-a-days, no one eversaw the old gentleman going out of a morning, when Jasper was busy withhis lessons, without Phronsie by his side, and many people turned to seethe portly figure with the handsome head bent to catch the prattle ofa little sunny-haired child, who trotted along, clasping his handconfidingly. And nearly all of them stopped to gaze the second timebefore they could convince themselves that it was really that queer, stiff old Mr. King of whom they had heard so much. 

And now the accumulation of dolls in the house became somethingalarming, for Mr. King, observing Phronsie's devotion to her family, thought there couldn't possibly be too many of them; so he scarcelyever went out without bringing home one at least to add to them, untilPhronsie had such a remarkable collection as would have driven almostany other child nearly crazy with delight. She, however, regarded themsomething in the light of a grave responsibility, to be taken care oftenderly, to be watched over carefully as to just the right kind ofbringing up; and to have small morals and manners taught in just theright way. 

Phronsie was playing in the corner of Mrs. Whitney's little boudoir, engaged in sending out invitations for an elaborate tea-party to begiven by one of the dolls, when Polly rushed in with consternation inher tones, and dismay written all over her face. 

"What is it, dear?" asked Mrs. Whitney, looking up from her embroidery. 

"Why, " said Polly, "how could I! I don't see--but I've forgotten towrite to mamsie to-day; it's Wednesday, you know, and there's Monsieurcoming. " And poor Polly looked out in despair to see the lively littlemusic teacher advancing towards the house at an alarming rate of speed. 

"That is because you were helping Van so long last evening over hislessons, " said Mrs. Whitney; "I am so sorry. "

"Oh, no, " cried Polly honestly, "I had plenty of time--but I forgot'twas mamsie's day. What will she do!"

"You will have to let it go now till the afternoon, dear; there's noother way; it can go in the early morning mail. "

"Oh, dear, " sighed Polly, "I suppose I must. " And she went down to meetMonsieur with a very distressed little heart. 

Phronsie laid down the note of invitation she was scribbling, andstopped to think; and a moment or two after, at a summons from a caller, Mrs. Whitney left the room. 

"I know I ought to, " said Phronsie to herself and the dolls, "yes, Iknow I had; mamsie will feel, oh! so bad, when she don't get Polly'sletter; and I know the way, I do, truly. "

She got up and went to the window, where she thought a minute; and then, coming back, she took up her little stubby pencil, and bending over asmall bit of paper, she commenced to trace with laborious efforts andmuch hard breathing, some very queer hieroglyphics that to her seemed tobe admirable, as at last she held them up with great satisfaction. 

"Good-bye, " she said then, getting up and bowing to the dolls who satamong the interrupted invitations, "I won't be gone but a little bit ofone minute, " and she went out determinedly and shut the door. 

Nobody saw the little figure going down the carriage drive, so of coursenobody could stop her. When Phronsie got to the gateway she looked upand down the street carefully, either way. 

"Yes, " she said, at last, "it was down here, I'm very sure, I went withgrandpa, " and immediately turned down the wrong way, and went on andon, grasping carefully her small, and by this time rather soiled bit ofpaper. 

At last she reached the business streets; and although she didn't cometo the Post Office, she comforted herself by the thought--"it must becoming soon. I guess it's round this corner. "

She kept turning corner after corner, until, at last, a little anxiousfeeling began to tug at her heart; and she began to think--"I wish Icould see Polly--" And now, she had all she could do to get out ofthe way of the crowds of people who were pouring up and down thethoroughfare. Everybody jostled against her, and gave her a push. "Ohdear!" thought Phronsie, "there's such a many big people!" and thenthere was no time for anything else but to stumble in and out, tokeep from being crushed completely beneath their feet. At last, an oldhuckster woman, in passing along, knocked off her bonnet with the endof her big basket, which flew around and struck Phronsie's head. Notstopping to look into the piteous brown eyes, she strode on without aword. Phronsie turned in perfect despair to go down a street that lookedas if there might be room enough for her in it. Thoroughly frightened, she plunged over the crossing, to reach it!

"Look out!" cried a ringing voice. "Stop!"

"The little girl'll be killed!" said others with bated breath, as apowerful pair of horses whose driver could not pull them up in time, dashed along just in front of her! With one cry, Phronsie sprang betweentheir feet, and reached the opposite curbstone in safety!

The plunge brought her up against a knot of gentlemen who were standingtalking on the corner. 

"What's this!" asked one, whose back being next to the street, hadn'tseen the commotion, as the small object dashed into their midst, andfell up against him. 

"Didn't you see that narrow escape?" asked a second, whose face hadpaled in witnessing it. "This little girl was nearly killed a momentago--careless driving enough!" And he put out his hand to catch thechild. 

"Bless me!" cried a third, whirling around suddenly, "Bless me! youdon't say so! why--" With a small cry, but gladsome and distinct in itsutterance, Phronsie gave one look--"Oh, grandpa!" was all she could say. 

"Oh! where--" Mr. King couldn't possibly have uttered another word, forthen his breath gave out entirely, as he caught the small figure. 

"I went to the Post Office, " said the child, clinging to him in delight, her tangled hair waving over the little white face, into which a faintpink color was quickly coming back. "Only it wouldn't come; and I walkedand walked--where is it, grandpa?" And Phronsie gazed up anxiously intothe old gentleman's face. 

"She went to the Post Office!" turning around on the others fiercely, as if they had contradicted him--"Why, my child, what were you going todo?"

"Mamsie's letter, " said Phronsie, holding up for inspection the preciousbit, which by this time, was decidedly forlorn, "Polly couldn't write;and Mamsie'd feel so bad not to get one--she would really" said thechild, shaking her head very soberly, "for Polly said so. "

"And you've been--oh! I can't think of it, " said Mr. King, tenderlytaking her up on his shoulder, "well, we must get home now, or I don'tknow what Polly will do!" And without stopping to say a word to hisfriends, he hailed a passing carriage, and putting Phronsie in, hecommanded the driver to get them as quickly as possible to theirdestination. 

In a few moments they were home. Mr. King pushed into the house with hisburden. "Don't anybody know, " he burst out, puffing up the stairs, andscolding furiously at every step, "enough to take better care of thischild, than to have such goings on!"

"What is the matter, father?" asked Mrs. Whitney, coming up the stairs, after him. "What has happened out of the way?"

"Out of the way!" roared the old gentleman, irascibly, "well, if youwant Phronsie racing off to the Post Office by herself, and nearlygetting killed, poor child! yes, Marian, I say nearly killed!" hecontinued. 

"What do you mean?" gasped Mrs. Whitney. 

"Why, where have you been?" asked the old gentleman, who wouldn't letPhronsie get down out of his arms, under any circumstances; so there shelay, poking up her head like a little bird, and trying to say she wasn'tin the least hurt, "where's everybody been not to know she'd gone?" heexclaimed, "where's Polly--and Jasper--and all of 'em?"

"Polly's taking her music lesson, " said Mrs. Whitney. "Oh, Phronsiedarling!" and she bent over the child in her father's arms, and nearlysmothered her with kisses. 

"Twas a naughty horse, " said Phronsie, sitting up straight and lookingat her, "or I should have found the Post Office; and I lost off mybonnet, too, " she added, for the first time realizing her loss, puttingher hand to her head; "a bad old woman knocked it off with a basket--andnow mamsie won't get her letter!" and she waved the bit, which she stillgrasped firmly between her thumb and finger, sadly towards Mrs. Whitney. 

"Oh, dear, " groaned that lady, "how could we talk before her! But whowould have thought it! Darling, " and she took the little girl from herfather's arms, who at last let her go, "don't think of your mamma'sletter; we'll tell her how it was, " and she sat down in the first chairthat she could reach; while Phronsie put her tumbled little head down onthe kind shoulder and gave a weary little sigh. 

"It was so long, " she said, "and my shoes hurt, " and she thrust out thedusty little boots, that spoke pathetically of the long and unaccustomedtramp. 

"Poor little lamb!" said Mr. King, getting down to unbutton them. "Whata shame!" he mumbled pulling off half of the buttons in his franticendeavors to get them off quickly. 

But Phronsie never heard the last of his observations, for in a minuteshe was fast asleep. The tangled hair fell off from the tired littleface; the breathing came peaceful and regular, and with her little handfast clasped in Mrs. Whitney's she slept on and on. 

Polly came flying up-stairs, two or three at a time, and humming a scrapof her last piece that she had just conquered. 

"Phronsie, " she called, with a merry little laugh, "where--"

"Hush!" said Mr. King, warningly, and then just because he couldn'texplain there without waking Phronsie up, he took hold of Polly's twoshoulders and marched her into the next room, where he carefully closedthe door, and told her the whole thing, using his own discretion aboutthe very narrow escape she had passed through. He told enough, however, for Polly to see what had been so near them; and she stood there soquietly, alternately paling and flushing as he proceeded, till at last, when he finished, Mr. King was frightened almost to death at the sightof her face. 

"Oh, goodness me, Polly!" he said, striding up to her, and then fumblingaround on the table to find a glass of water, "you are not going tofaint, are you? Phronsie's all well now, she isn't hurt in the least, Iassure you; I assure you--where is a glass of water! Marian ought to seethat there's some here--that stupid Jane!" and in utter bewildermenthe was fussing here and there, knocking down so many things in general, that the noise soon brought Polly to, with a little gasp. 

"Oh, don't mind me, dear Mr. King--I'm--all well. "

"So you are, " said the old gentleman, setting up a toilet bottle that hehad knocked over, "so you are; I didn't think you'd go and tumble over, Polly, I really didn't, " and he beamed admiringly down on her. 

And then Polly crept away to Mrs. Whitney's side where she threw herselfdown on the floor, to watch the little sleeping figure. Her hand wasgathered up, into the kind one that held Phronsie's; and there theywatched and watched and waited. 

"Oh, dear, " said Phronsie, suddenly, turning over with a little sigh, and bobbing up her head to look at Polly; "I'm so hungry! I haven't hadanything to eat in ever an' ever so long, Polly!" and she gazed at herwith a very injured countenance. 

"So you must be, " said Mrs. Whitney, kissing the flushed little face. "Polly must ring the bell for Jane to bring this little bird somecrumbs. 

"Can I have a great many?" asked Phronsie, lifting her eyes, with thedewy look of sleep still lingering in them, "as many as two birdies?"

"Yes, dear, " said Mrs. Whitney, laughing; "I think as many as threelittle birdies could eat, Phronsie. "

"Oh, " said Phronsie, and leaned back satisfied, while Polly gave theorder, which was presently followed by Jane with a well-filled tray. 

"Now, " said Jappy, when he heard the account of the adventure, "I saythat letter ought to go to your mother, Polly. "

"Oh, " said Polly, "it would scare mamsie most to death, Jappy!"

"Don't tell her the whole, " said Jasper, quickly, "I didn't meanthat--about the horses and all that--but only enough to let her see howPhronsie tried to get it to her. "

"And I'm going to write to your brother Joel, " said Van, drawing up tothe library table; "I'll scare him, Polly, I guess; he won't tell yourmother. "

"Your crow-tracks'll scare him enough without anything else, " saidPercy, pleasantly, who really could write very nicely, while Polly brokeout in an agony:

"Oh, no, Van, you mustn't! you mustn't!"

"If Van does, " said Jasper, decidedly, "it'll be the last time he'llwrite to the 'brown house, ' I can tell him; and besides, he'll go toCoventry. " This had the desired effect. 

"Let's all write, " said Polly. 

So a space on the table was cleared, and the children gathered aroundit, when there was great scratching of pens, and clearing of ideas;which presently resulted in a respectable budget of letters, into whichPhronsie's was lovingly tucked in the centre; and then they all filedout to put it into the letterbox in the hall, for Thomas to mail withthe rest in the morning. 

GETTING READY FOR MAMSIE AND THE BOYS

"And I'll tell you, Marian, what I am going to do. "

Mr. King's voice was pitched on a higher key than usual; and extremedetermination was expressed in every line of his face. He had met Mrs. Whitney at the foot of the staircase, dressed for paying visits. "Oh, are you going out?" he said, glancing impatiently at her attire. "AndI'd just started to speak to you on a matter of great importance! Of thegreatest importance indeed!" he repeated irritably, as he stood with onegloved hand resting on the balustrade. 

"Oh, it's no matter, father, " she replied pleasantly; "if it's reallyimportant, I can postpone going for another day, and--"

"Really important!" repeated the old gentleman irascibly. "Haven't Ijust told you it's of the greatest importance? There's no time to belost; and with my state of health too, it's of the utmost consequencethat I shouldn't be troubled. It's very bad for me; I should think youwould realize that, Marian. "

"I'll tell Thomas to take the carriage directly back, " said Mrs. Whitneystepping to the door. "Or stay, father; I'll just run up and send thechildren out for a little drive. The horses ought to be used too, youknow, " she said lightly, preparing to run up to carry out the changedplan. 

"Never mind that now, " said Mr. King abruptly. "I want you to give meyour attention directly. " And walking towards the library door, gettinga fresh accession of impatience with every step, he beckoned her tofollow. 

But his progress was somewhat impeded by little Dick--or rather, littleDick and Prince, who were standing at the top of the stairs to see Mrs. Whitney off. When he saw his mother retrace her steps, supposing heryielding to the urgent entreaties that he was sending after her to stayat home, the child suddenly changed his "Good-byes" to vociferous howlsof delight, and speedily began to plunge down the stairs to welcome her. 

But the staircase was long, and little Dick was in a hurry, and besides, Prince was in the way. The consequence was, nobody knew just how, thata bumping noise struck into the conversation that made the two below inthe hall look up quickly, to see the child and dog come rolling over thestairs at a rapid rate. 

"Zounds!" cried the old gentleman. "Here, Thomas, Thomas!" But as thatindividual was waiting patiently outside the door on the carriage box, there was small hope of his being in time to catch the boy, who wasalready in his mother's arms, not quite clear by the suddenness of thewhole thing, as to how he came there. 

"Oh! oh! Dicky's hurt!" cried somebody up above--followed by everyone within hearing distance, and all came rushing to the spot to ask athousand questions all in the same minute. 

There sat Mrs. Whitney in one of the big carved chairs, with little Dickin her lap, and Prince walking gravely around and around him with thegreatest expression of concern on his noble face. Mr. King was stormingup and down, and calling on everybody to bring a "bowl of water, andsome brown paper; and be quick!" interpolated with showers of blame onPrince for sitting on the stairs, and tripping people up! while Dickmeanwhile was laughing and chatting, and enjoying the distinction ofmaking so many people run, and of otherwise being the object of so muchattention!

"I don't think he was sitting on the stairs, father, " said Jasper, who, when he saw that Dicky was really unhurt, began to vindicate his dog. "He never does that; do you Sir?" he said patting the head that waslifted up to him, as if to be defended. 

"And I expect we shall all be killed some day, Jasper, " said Mr. King, warming with his subject; and forgetting all about the brown paper andwater which he had ordered, and which was now waiting for him at hiselbow, "just by that creature. "

"He's the noblest--" began Jasper, throwing his arms around his neck; anexample which was immediately followed by the Whitney boys, and the twolittle Peppers. When Dick saw this, he began to struggle to get down toadd himself to the number. 

"Where's the brown paper?" began Mr. King, seeing this and whirlingaround suddenly. "Hasn't any body brought it yet?"

"Here 'tis sir, " said Jane, handing him a generous supply. "Oh, I don'twant to, " cried little Dick in dismay, seeing his grandfather advancewith an enormous piece of paper, which previously wet in the bowl ofwater, was now unpleasantly clammy and wet--"oh, no, I don't want to beall stuck up with old horrid wet paper!"

"Hush, dear!" said his mamma, soothingly. "Grandpapa wants to put iton--there--" as Mr. King dropped it scientifically on his head, and thenproceeded to paste another one over his left eye. 

"And I hope they'll all drop off, " cried Dick, savagely, shaking hishead to facilitate matters. "Yes, I do, every single one of 'em!" headded, with an expression that seen under the brown bits was anythingbut benign. 

"Was Prince on the stairs, Dick?" asked Jasper, coming up and peeringunder his several adornments. "Tell us how you fell!"

"No, " said little Dick, crossly, and giving his head another shake. "He was up in the hall--oh, dear, I want to get down, " and he began tostretch his legs and to struggle with so much energy, that two or threepieces fell off, and landed on the floor to his intense delight. 

"And how did you fall then?" said Jasper, perseveringly. "Can't youremember, Dicky, boy?"

"I pushed Princey, " said Dick, feeling, with freedom from some ofhis encumbrances, more disposed for conversation, "and made him goahead--and then I fell on top of him--that's all. "

"I guess Prince has saved him, father, " cried Jasper, turning aroundwith eyes full of pride and love on the dog, who was trying as hard ashe could to tell all the children how much he enjoyed their caresses. 

And so it all came about that the consultation so summarily interruptedwas never held. For, as Mrs. Whitney was about retiring that evening, Mr. King rapped at her door, on his way to bed. 

"Oh, " he said popping in his head, in response to her invitation to comein, "it's nothing--only I thought I'd just tell you a word or two aboutwhat I've decided to do. "

"Do you mean what you wanted to see me about this afternoon?" asked Mrs. Whitney, who hadn't thought of it since. "Do come in, father. "

"It's no consequence, " said the old gentleman; "no consequence at all, "he repeated, waving his hand emphatically, "because I've made up my mindand arranged all my plans--it's only about the Peppers--"

"The Peppers?" repeated Mrs. Whitney. 

"Yes. Well, the fact of it is, I'm going to have them here for avisit--the whole of them, you understand; that's all there is to it. And I shall go down to see about all the arrangements--Jasper and I--dayafter to-morrow, " said the old gentleman, as if he owned the wholePepper family inclusive, and was the only responsible person to beconsulted about their movements. 

"Will they come?" asked Mrs. Whitney, doubtfully. 

"Come? of course, " said Mr. King, sharply, "there isn't any other way;or else Mrs. Pepper will be sending for her children--and of course youknow, Marian, we couldn't allow that--well, that's all; so good night, "and the door closed on his retreating footsteps. 

And so Polly and Phronsie soon knew that mamsie and the boys were tobe invited! And then the grand house, big as it was, didn't seem largeenough to contain them. 

"I declare, " said Jasper, next day, when they had been laughing andplanning till they were all as merry as grigs, "if this old dungeondon't begin to seem a little like 'the little brown house, ' Polly. "

"Twon't, " answered Polly, hopping around on one toe, followed byPhronsie, "till mamsie and the boys get here, Jasper King!"

"Well, they'll be here soon, " said Jappy, pleased at Polly's exultationover it, "for we're going to-morrow to do the inviting. "

"And Polly's to write a note to slip into Marian's, " said Mr. King, putting his head in at the door. "And if you want your mother to come, child, why, you'd better mention it as strong as you can. "

"I'm going to write, " said Phronsie, pulling up after a prolonged skip, all out of breath. "I'm going to write, and beg mamsie dear. Then she'llcome, I guess. "

"I guess she will, " said Mr. King, looking at her. "You go on, Phronsie, and write; and that letter shall go straight in my coat pocket alone byitself. "

"Shall it?" asked Phronsie, coming up to him, "and nobody will take itout till you give it to mamsie?"

"No, nobody shall touch it, " said the old gentleman, stooping to kissthe upturned face, "till I put it into her own hand. "

"Then, " said Phronsie, in the greatest satisfaction, "I'm going to writethis very one minute!" and she marched away to carry her resolve intoimmediate execution. 

Before they got through they had quite a bundle of invitations andpleadings; for each of the three boys insisted on doing his part, sothat when they were finally done up in an enormous envelope and put intoMr. King's hands, he told them with a laugh that there was no use forJappy and himself to go, as those were strong enough to win almostanybody's consent. 

However, the next morning they set off, happy in their hopes, andbearing the countless messages, which the children would come up everynow and then to intrust to them, declaring that they had forgotten toput them in the letters. 

"You'd had to have had an express wagon to carry the letters if you hadput them all in, " at last cried Jasper. "You've given us a bushel ofthings to remember. "

"And oh! don't forget to ask Ben to bring Cherry, " cried Polly, the lastminute as they were driving off although she had put it in her letter atleast a dozen times; "and oh, dear! of course the flowers can't come. "

"We've got plenty here, " said Jasper. "You would not know what to dowith them, Polly. "

"Well, I do wish mamsie would give some to kind Mrs. Henderson, then, "said Polly, on the steps, clasping her hands anxiously, while Jaspertold Thomas to wait till he heard the rest of the message, "and tograndma--you know Grandma Bascom; she was so good to us, " she saidimpulsively. "And, oh! don't let her forget to carry some to dear, dearDr. Fisher; and don't forget to give him our love, Jappy; don't forgetthat!" and Polly ran down the steps to the carriage door, where shegazed up imploringly to the boy's face. 

"I guess I won't, " cried Jasper, "when I think how he saved your eyes, Polly! He's the best fellow I know!" he finished in an impulsive burst. 

"And don't let mamsie forget to carry some in to good old Mr. And Mrs. Beebe in town--where Phronsie got her shoes, you know; that is, ifmamsie can, " she added, remembering how very busy her mother would be. 

"I'll carry them myself, " said Jasper; "we're going to stay over tillthe next day, you know. "

"O!" cried Polly, radiant as a rose, "will you, really, Jappy? you're sogood!"

"Yes, I will, " said Jasper, "everything you want done, Polly; anythingelse?" he asked, quickly, as Mr. King, impatient to be off, showedunmistakable symptoms of hurrying up Thomas. 

"Oh, no, " said Polly, "only do look at the little brown house, Jasper, as much as you can, " and Polly left the rest unfinished. Jasper seemedto understand, however, for he smiled brightly as he said, looking intothe brown eyes, "I'll do it all, Polly; every single thing. " And thenthey were off. 

Mamsie and the boys! could Polly ever wait till the next afternoon thatwould bring the decision?

Long before it was possibly time for the carriage to come back from thedepot, Polly, with Phronsie and the three boys, who, improving Jasper'sabsence, had waited upon her with the grace and persistence of cavaliersof the olden time, were drawn up at the old stone gateway. 

"Oh, dear, " said Van with an impatient fling; "they never will come!"

"Won't they, Polly?" asked Phronsie, anxiously, and standing quitestill. 

"Dear me, yes, " said Polly, with a little laugh, "Van only means they'llbe a good while, Phronsie. They're sure to come some time. "

"Oh!" said Phronsie, quite relieved; and she commenced her caperingagain in extreme enjoyment. 

"I'm going, " said little Dick, "to run down and meet them. " Accordinglyoff he went, and was immediately followed by Percy, who started with thelaudable desire of bringing him back; but finding it so very enjoyable, he stayed himself and frolicked with Dick, till the others, hearing thefun, all took hold of hands and flew off to join them. 

"Now, " said Polly, when they recovered their breath a little, "let's allturn our backs to the road; and the minute we hear the carriage we mustwhirl round; and the one who sees 'em first can ask first 'Is mamsiecoming?"

"All right, " cried the boys. 

"Turn round, Dick, " said Percy, with a little shove, for Dick wasstaring with all his might right down the road. And so they all flewaround till they looked like five statues set up to grace the sidewalk. 

"Suppose a big dog should come, " suggested Van, pleasantly, "and snap atour backs!"

At this little Dick gave a small howl, and turned around in a fright. 

"There isn't any dog coming, " said Polly. "What does make you say suchawful things, Van?"

"I hear a noise, " said Phronsie; and so they all whirled around inexpectation. But it proved to be only a market wagon coming at a furiouspace down the road, with somebody's belated dinner. So they all had towhirl back again as before. The consequence was that when the carriagedid come, nobody heard it. 

Jasper, looking out, was considerably astonished to see, drawn up insolemn array with their backs to the road, five children, who stood asif completely petrified. 

"What in the world!" he began, and called to Thomas to stop, whoseenergetic "Whoa!" reaching the ears of the frozen line, caused it tobreak ranks, and spring into life at an alarming rate. 

"Oh, is she coming Jappy? Is she? Is she?" they all screamed together, swarming up to the carriage door, and over the wheels. 

"Yes, " said Jasper looking at Polly. 

At that, Phronsie made a little cheese and sat right down on thepavement in an ecstasy. 

"Get in here, all of you;" said Jasper merrily; "help Polly in first. For shame Dick! don't scramble so. "

"Dick always shoves, " said Percy, escorting Polly up with quite an air. 

"I don't either, " said Dick; "you pushed me awful, just a little whileago, " he added indignantly. 

"Do say awfully, " corrected Van, crowding up to get in. "You leave offyour lys so, " he finished critically. 

"I don't know anything about any lees, " said little Dick, who, usuallyso good natured, was now thoroughly out of temper; "I want to get inand go home, " and he showed evident symptoms of breaking into a perfectroar. 

"There, " said Polly, lilting him up, "there he goes! now--one, two, three!" and little Dick was spun in so merrily that the tears changedinto a happy laugh. 

"Now then, bundle in, all the rest of you, " put in Mr. King, who seemedto be in the best of spirits. "That's it; go on, Thomas!"

"When are they coming?" Polly found time to ask in the general jumble. 

"In three weeks from to-morrow, " said Jasper. "And everything's allright, Polly! and the whole of them, Cherry and all, will be here then!"

"Oh!" said Polly. 

"Here we are!" cried Van, jumping out almost before the carriage doorwas open. "Mamma; mamma, " he shouted to Mrs. Whitney in the doorway, "the Peppers are coming, and the little brown house too!--everything andeverybody!"

"They are!" said Percy, as wild as his brother; "and everything's justsplendid! Jappy said so. "

"Everything's coming, " said little Dick, tumbling up the steps--"and thebird--and--and--"

"And mamsie!" finished Phronsie, impatient to add her part--while Pollydidn't say anything--only looked. 

Three weeks! "I can't wait!" thought Polly at first, in countingover the many hours before the happy day would come. But on Jasper'ssuggesting that they should all do something to get ready for thevisitors, and have a general trimming up with vines and flowersbeside--the time passed away much more rapidly than was feared. 

Polly chose a new and more difficult piece of music to learn to surprisemamsie. Phronsie had aspired to an elaborate pin-cushion, that wasnearly done, made of bits of worsted and canvas, over whose surfaceshe had wandered according to her own sweet will, in a way charming tobehold. 

"I don't know what to do, " said Van in despair, "cause I don't know whatshe'd like. "

"Can't you draw her a little picture?" asked Polly. "She'd like that. "

"Does she like pictures?" asked Van with the greatest interest. 

"Yes indeed!" said Polly, "I guess you'd think so if you could see her!"

"I know what I shall do, " with a dignified air said Percy, who couldn'tdraw, and therefore looked down on all Van's attempts with the greatestscorn. "And it won't be any old pictures either, " he added. 

"What is it, old fellow?" asked Jasper, "tell on, now, your grand plan. "

"No, I'm not going to tell, " said Percy, with the greatest secrecy, "until the very day. "

"What will you do, sir?" asked Jasper, pulling one of Dick's ears, whostood waiting to speak, as if his mind was made up, and wouldn't bechanged for anyone!

"I shall give Ben one of my kitties--the littlest and the best!" hesaid, with heroic self-sacrifice. 

A perfect shout greeted this announcement. 

"Fancy Ben going round with one of those awful little things, " whisperedJappy to Polly, who shook at the very thought. 

"Don't laugh! oh, it's dreadful to laugh at him, Jappy, " she said, whenshe could get voice enough. 

"No, I sha'n't tell, " said Percy, when the fun had subsided; who, finding that no one teased him to divulge his wonderful plan, kepttrying to harrow up their feelings by parading it. 

"You needn't then, " screamed Van, who was nearly dying to know. "I don'tbelieve it's so very dreadful much, anyway. "

"What's yours, Jappy?" asked Polly, "I know yours will be justsplendid. "

"Oh, no, it isn't, " said Jasper, smiling brightly, "but as I didn't knowwhat better I could do, I'm going to get a little stand, and then begsome flowers of Turner to fill it, and--"

"Why, that's mine!" screamed Percy, in the greatest disappointment. "That's just what I was going to do!"

"Hoh, hoh!" shouted Van; "I thought you wouldn't tell, Mr. Percy! hoh, hoh!"

"Hoh, hoh!" echoed Dick. 

"Hush, " said Jappy. "Why, Percy, I didn't know as you had thought ofthat, " he said kindly. "Well, then, you do it, and I'll take somethingelse. I don't care as long as Mrs. Pepper gets 'em. "

"I didn't exactly mean that, " began Percy; "mine was roots and littleflowers growing. "

"He means what he gets in the woods, " said Polly, explaining; "don'tyou, Percy?"

"Yes, " said the boy. "And then I was going to put stones and things inamong them to make them look pretty. "

"And they will, " cried Jasper. "Go ahead, Percy, they'll look realpretty, and then Turner will give you some flowers for the stand, Iknow; I'll ask him to-morrow. "

"Will you?" cried Percy, "that'll be fine!"

"Mine is the best, " said Van, just at this juncture; but it was said alittle anxiously, as he saw how things were prospering with Percy; "formy flowers in the picture will always be there, and your old roots andthings will die. "

"What will yours be, then, Jappy?" asked Polly very soberly. "The standof flowers would have been just lovely! and you do fix them so nice, "she added sorrowfully. 

"Oh, I'll find something else, " said Jappy, cheerfully, who had quiteset his heart on giving the flowers. "Let me see--I might carve her abracket. "

"Do, " cried Polly, clapping her hands enthusiastically. "And do carve alittle bird, like the one you did on your father's. "

"I will, " said Jasper, "just exactly like it. Now, we've got somethingto do, before we welcome the 'little brown house' people--so let's flyat it, and the time won't seem so long. "

And at last the day came when they could all say--To-morrow they'll behere!

Well, the vines were all up; and pots of lovely climbing ferns, and allmanner of pretty green things had been arranged and re-arranged a dozentimes till everything was pronounced perfect; and a big green "Welcome"over the library door, made of laurel leaves, by the patient fingersof all the children, stared down into their admiring eyes as much as tosay, "I'll do my part!"

"Oh, dear, " said Phronsie, when evening came, and the children were, asusual, assembled on the rug before the fire, their tongues running wildwith anticipation and excitement, "I don't mean to go to bed at all, Polly; I don't truly. "

"Oh, yes, you do, " said Polly laughing; "then you'll be all fresh andrested to see mammy when she does come. "

"Oh, no, " said Phronsie, shaking her head soberly, and speaking in aninjured tone. "I'm not one bit tired, Polly; not one bit. "

"You needn't go yet, Phronsie, " said Polly. "You can sit up half an houryet, if you want to. "

"But I don't want to go to bed at all, " said the child anxiously, "forthen I may be asleep when mamsie comes, Polly. "

"She's afraid she won't wake up, " said Percy, laughing. "Oh, there'll beoceans of time before they come, Phronsie. "

"What is oceans, " asked Phronsie, coming up and looking at him, doubtfully. 

"He means mamsie won't get here till afternoon, " said Polly, catchingher up and kissing her; "then I guess you'll be awake, Phronsie, pet. "

So Phronsie allowed herself to be persuaded, at the proper time, to becarried off and inducted into her little nightgown. And when Polly wentup to bed, she found the little pin-cushion, with its hieroglyphics, that she had insisted on taking to bed with her, still tightly graspedin the little fat hand. 

"She'll roll over and muss it, " thought Polly; "and then she'll feel badin the morning. I guess I'd better lay it on the bureau. "

So she drew it carefully away, without awaking the little sleeper, andplaced it where she knew Phronsie's eyes would rest on it the firstthing in the morning. 

It was going on towards the middle of the night when Phronsie, whoseexciting dreams of mamsie and the boys wouldn't let her rest quietly, woke up; and in the very first flash she thought of her cushion. 

"Why, where--" she said, in the softest little tones, only half awake, "why, Polly, where is it?" and she began to feel all around her pillowto see if it had fallen down there. 

But Polly's brown head with its crowd of anticipations and busyplans was away off in dreamland, and she breathed on and on perfectlymotionless. 

"I guess I better, " said Phronsie to herself, now thoroughly awake, andsitting up in bed, "not wake her up. Poor Polly's tired; I can find itmyself, I know I can. "

So she slipped out of bed, and prowling around on the floor, felt allabout for the little cushion. 

"'Tisn't here, oh, no, it isn't, " she sighed at last, and getting up, she stood still a moment, lost in thought. "Maybe Jane's put it outin the hall, " she said, as a bright thought struck her. "I can get itthere, " and out she pattered over the soft carpet to the table at theend of the long hall, where Jane often placed the children's playthingsover night. As she was coming back after her fruitless search, shestopped to peep over the balustrade down the fascinating flight ofstairs, now so long and dark. Just then a little faint ray of light shotup from below, and met her eyes. 

"Why!" she said in gentle surprise, "they're all down-stairs! I guessthey're making something for mamsie--I'm going to see. "

So, carefully picking her way over the stairs with her little bare feet, and holding on to the balustrade at every step, she went slowly down, guided by the light, which, as she neared the bottom of the flight, shesaw came from the library door. 

"Oh, isn't it funny!" and she gave a little happy laugh. "They won'tknow I'm comin'!" and now the soft little feet went pattering over thethick carpet, until she stood just within the door. There she stoppedperfectly still. 

Two dark figures, big and powerful, were bending over something thatPhronsie couldn't see, between the two big windows. A lantern on thefloor flung its rays over them as they were busily occupied; and thefirelight from the dying coals made the whole stand out distinctly tothe gaze of the motionless little figure. 

"Why! what are you doing with my grandpa's things?"

The soft, clear notes fell like a thunderbolt upon the men. With a startthey brought themselves up, and stared--only to see a little white-robedfigure, with its astonished eyes uplifted with childlike, earnest gaze, as she waited for her answer. 

For an instant they were powerless to move; and stood as if frozen tothe spot, till Phronsie, moving one step forward, piped forth:

"Naughty men, to touch my dear grandpa's things!"

With a smothered cry one of them started forward with arm uplifted; butthe other sprang like a cat and intercepted the blow. 

"Stop!" was all he said. A noise above the stairs--a rushing soundthrough the hall! Something will save Phronsie, for the household isaroused! The two men sprang through the window, having no time to catchthe lantern or their tools, as Polly, followed by one and another, rushed in and surrounded the child. 

"What!" gasped Polly, and got no further. 

"STOP, THIEF!" roared Mr. King, hurrying over the stairs. The children, frightened at the strange noises, began to cry and scream, as theycame running through the halls to the spot. Jasper rushed for themen-servants. 

And there stood Phronsie, surrounded by the pale group. "Twas twonaughty men, " she said, lifting her little face with the grieved, astonished look still in the big brown eyes, "and they were touching mygrandpa's things, Polly!"

"I should think they were, " said Jasper, running over amongst the fewscattered tools and the lantern, to the windows, where, on the floor, was a large table cover hastily caught up by the corners, into which avast variety of silver, jewelry, and quantities of costly articles weregathered ready for flight. "They've broken open your safe, father!" hecried in excitement, "see!"

"And they put up their hand--one man did, " went on Phronsie. "And theother said 'Stop!'--oh, Polly, you hurt me!" she cried, as Polly, unableto bear the strain any longer, held her so tightly she could hardlybreathe. 

"Go on, " said Jasper, "how did they look?"

"All black, " said the child, pushing back her wavy hair and looking athim, "very all black, Jasper. "

"And their faces, Phronsie?" said Mr. King, getting down on his oldknees on the floor beside her. "Bless me! somebody else ask her, I can'ttalk!"

"How did their faces look, Phronsie, dear?" asked Jasper, taking one ofthe cold hands in his. "Can't you think?"

"Oh!" said Phronsie--and then she gave a funny little laugh, "two bigholes, Jasper, that's all they had!"

"She means they were masked, " whispered Jasper. 

"What did you get up for?" Mrs. Whitney asked. "Dear child, what madeyou get out of bed?"

"Why, my cushion-pin, " said Phronsie looking worried at once. "Icouldn't find it, and--"

But just at this, without a bit of warning, Polly tumbled over in a deadfaint. 

And then it was all confusion again. 

And so, on the following afternoon, it turned out that the Peppers, about whose coming there had been so many plans and expectations, justwalked in as if they had always lived there. The greater excitementcompletely swallowed up the less!

WHICH TREATS OF A GOOD MANY MATTERS

"Phooh!" said Joel a few mornings after the emptying of the little brownhouse into the big one, when he and Van were rehearsing for the fiftiethtime all the points of the eventful night, "phooh! if I'd been here theywouldn't have got away, I guess!"

"What would you have done?" asked Van, bristling up at this reflectionon their courage, and squaring up to him. "What would you have done, Joel Pepper?"

"I'd a-pitched right into 'em--like--everything!" said Joel valiantly;"and a-caught 'em! Yes, every single one of the Bunglers!"

"The what?" said Van, bursting into a loud laugh. 

"The Bunglers, " said Joel with a red face. "That's what you said theywere, anyway, " he added positively. 

"I said Burglars, " said Van, doubling up with amusement, while Joelstood, a little sturdy figure, regarding him with anything but a sweetcountenance. 

"Well anyway, I'd a-caught 'em, so there!" he said, as Van at lastshowed signs of coming out of his fit of laughter, and got up and wipedhis eyes. 

"How'd you have caught 'em?" asked Van, scornfully surveying the squarelittle country figure before him. "You can't hit any. 

"Can't?" said Joel, the black eyes flashing volumes, and coming up infront of Van. "You better believe I can, Van Whitney!"

"Come out in the back yard and try then, " said Van hospitably, perfectlydelighted at the prospect, and flying alone towards the door. "Comeright out and try. "

"All right!" said Joel, following sturdily, equally delighted to showhis skill. 

"There, " said Van, taking off his jacket, and flinging it on the grass, while Joel immediately followed suit with his little homespun one. "Now we can begin perfectly splendid! I won't hit hard, " he addedpatronizingly, as both boys stood ready. 

"Hit as hard as you've a-mind to, " said Joel, "I'm a-going to. "

"Oh, you may, " said Van politely, "because you're company. Allright--now!"

So at it they went. Before very many minutes were over, Van relinquishedall ideas of treating his company with extra consideration, and wasonly thinking how he could possibly hold his own with the valiant littlecountry lad. Oh, if he could only be called to his lessons--anythingthat would summon him into the house! Just then a window above theirheads was suddenly thrown up, and his mamma's voice in natural surpriseand distress called quickly: "Children what are you doing? Oh, Van, howcould you!"

Both contestants turned around suddenly. Joel looked up steadily. "We'rea-hitting, ma'am; he said I couldn't, and so we came out and--"

"Oh, Vanny, " said Mrs. Whitney reproachfully, "to treat a little guestin this way!"

"I wanted to, " said Joel cheerfully; "twas great fun. Let's begin again, Van!"

"We mustn't, " said Van, readily giving up the charming prospect, andbeginning to edge quickly towards the house. "Mamma wouldn't like it youknow. He hits splendidly, mamma, " he added generously, looking up. "Hedoes really. "

"And so does Van, " cried Joel, his face glowing at the praise. "We'llcome out every day, " he added slipping into his jacket, and turningenthusiastically back to Van. 

"And perhaps he could have pitched into the Burglars, " finished Van, ignoring the invitation, and tumbling into his jacket with alarmingspeed. 

"I know I could!" cried Joel, scampering after him into the house. "IfI'd only a-been here!"

"Where's Ben?" said Van, bounding into the hall, and flinging himselfdown on one of the chairs. "Oh dear, I'm so hot! Say, Joe, where do yous'pose Ben is?"

"I don't know, " replied Joel, who didn't even puff. 

"I saw him a little while ago with master Percy, " said Jane, who wasgoing through the hall. 

"There now! and they've gone off somewhere, " cried Van in extremeirritation, and starting up quickly. "I know they have. Which way didthey go, Jane? And how long ago?"

"Oh, I don't know, " replied Jane carelessly, "half an hour maybe; andthey didn't go nowhere as I see, at least they were talking at the door, and I was going up-stairs. "

"Right here?" cried Van, and stamping with his foot to point out theexact place; "at this door, Jane?"

"Yes, yes, " said Jane; "at that very door, " and then she went into thedining-room to her work. 

"Oh dear me!" cried Van, and flying out on the veranda, he began to peerwildly up and down the drive. "And they've gone to some splendidplace, I know, and wouldn't tell us. That's just like Percy!" he addedvindictively, "he's always stealing away! don't you see 'em, Joel? oh, do come out and look!"

"'Tisn't any use, " said Joel coolly, sitting down on the chair Van hadjust vacated, and swinging his feet comfortably; "they're miles away ifthey've been gone half an hour. I'm goin' up-stairs, " and he sprang up, and energetically pranced to the stairs. 

"They aren't up-stairs!" screamed Van, in scorn, bounding into the hall. "Don't go; I know that they've gone down to the museum!"

"The what?" exclaimed Joel, nearly at the top, peering over the railing. "What's that you said--what is it?"

"A museum, " shouted Van, "and it's a perfectly elegant place, JoelPepper, and Percy knows I like to go; and now he's taken Ben off;and he'll show him all the things! and they'll all be old when I takehim--and--and--oh! I hope the snakes will bite him!" he added, trying tothink of something bad enough. 

"Do they have snakes there?" asked Joel, staring. 

"Yes, they do, " snapped out Van. "They have everything!"

"Well, they shan't bite Ben!" cried Joel in terror. "Oh! do you supposethey will?" and he turned right straight around on the stairs, andlooked at Van. 

"No, " said Van, "they won't bite--what's the matter, Joe?"

"Oh, they may, " said Joel, his face working, and screwing both fistsinto his eyes; at last he burst right out into a torrent of sobs. "Oh, don't let 'em Van--don't!"

"Why, they can't, " said Van in an emphatic voice, running up the stairsto Joel's side, frightened to death at his tears. 

Then he began to shake his jacket sleeve violently to bring him back toreason, "Wait Joe! oh, do stop! oh, dear, what shall I do! I tell you, they can't bite, " he screamed as loud as he could into his ear. 

"You said--you--hoped--they--would, " said Joel's voice in smotheredtones. 

"Well, they won't anyway, " said Van decidedly. "Cause they're allstuffed--so there now!"

"Ain't they alive--nor anythin'?" asked Joel, bringing one black eyeinto sight from behind his chubby hands. 

"No, " said Van, "they're just as dead as anything, Joel Pepper--beendead years! and there's old crabs there too, old dead crabs--and they'rejust lovely! Oh, such a lots of eggs as they've got! And there areshells and bugs and stones--and an awful old crocodile, and--" "Oh, dear!" sighed Joel, perfectly overcome at such a vision, and sittingdown on the stairs to think. "Well, mamsie'll know where Ben is, " hesaid, springing up. "And then I tell you Van, we'll just tag 'em!"

"So she will, " cried Van. "Why didn't we think of that before? I wantedto think. "

"I did, " said Joel. "That was where I was goin'. "

Without any more ado they rushed into Mrs. Pepper's big, sunny room, there to see, seated at the square table between the two large windows, the two lost ones bending over what seemed to be an object of thegreatest importance, for Polly was hanging over Ben's shoulder withintense pride and delight, which she couldn't possibly conceal, andDavie was crowded as near as he could get to Percy's elbow. 

Phronsie and little Dick were perched comfortably on the corner of thetable, surveying the whole scene in quiet rapture; and Mrs. Pepper withher big mending basket, was ensconced over by the deep window seat juston the other side of the room, underneath Cherry's cage, and looking upbetween quick energetic stitches, over at the busy group, with the mostplacid expression on her face. 

"Oh!--what you doin'?" cried Joel, flying up to them. "Let us see, doBen!"

"What is it?" exclaimed Van, squeezing in between Percy and Ben. 

"Don't--" began Percy. "There, see, you've knocked his elbow and spoiltit!"

"Oh no, he hasn't, " said Ben, putting down his pencil, and taking up apiece of rubber. "There, see it all comes out--as good as ever. "

"Isn't it just elegant?" said Percy in the most pleased tone, andwriggling his toes under the table to express his satisfaction. 

"Yes, " said Van, craning his neck to get a better view of the picture, now nearly completed, "It's perfectly splendid. How'd you do it, Ben?"

"I don't know, " replied Ben with a smile, carefully shading in a fewlast touches. "It just drew itself. "

"Tisn't anything to what he can do, " said Polly, standing up as tall asshe could, and beaming at Ben, "He used to draw most beautiful at home. "

"Better than this?" asked Van, with great respect and taking up thepicture, after some demur on Percy's part, and examining it critically. "I don't believe it, Polly. "

"Phooh; he did!" exclaimed Joel, looking over his shoulder at awonderful view of a dog in an extremely excited state of mind runningdown an interminable hill to bark at a locomotive and train of carswhizzing along a curve in the foreground. "Lots better'n that! Ben cando anything!" he added, in an utterly convincing way. 

"Now give it back, " cried Percy, holding out his hand in alarm. "I'mgoing to ask mamma to have it framed; and then I'm going to hangit right over my bed, " he finished, as Van reluctantly gave up thetreasure. 

"Did you draw all the time in the little brown house?" asked Van, lostin thought. "How I wish I'd been there!"

"Dear, no!" cried Polly with a little skip, turning away to laugh. "Hedidn't have hardly any time, and--"

"Why not?" asked Percy. 

"Cause there was things to do, " said Polly. "But sometimes when itrained, and he couldn't go out and work, and there wasn't anything todo in the house--then we'd have--oh!" and she drew a long breath at thememory, "such a time, you can't think!"

"Didn't you wish it would always rain?" asked Van, still gazing at thepicture. 

"Dear, no!" began Polly. 

"I didn't, " broke in Joel, in horror. "I wouldn't a-had it rain foranything!--only once in a while, " he added, as he thought of the goodtimes that Polly had spoken of. 

"'Twas nice outdoors, " said little Davie, reflectively; "and niceinside, too. " And then he glanced over to his mother, who gave him asmile in return. "And 'twas nice always. "

"Well, " said Van, returning to the picture, "I do wish you'd tell me howto draw, Ben. I can't do anything but flowers, " he said in a discouragedway. 

"Flowers aren't anything, " said Percy, pleasantly. "That's girls' work;but dogs and horses and cars--those are just good!"

"Will you, Ben?" asked Van, looking down into the big blue eyes, sokindly turned up to his. 

"Yes, indeed I will, " cried Ben, "that is, all I know; 'tisn't much, buteverything I can, I'll tell you. "

"Then I can learn, can't I?" cried Van joyfully. 

"Oh, tell me too, Ben, " cried Percy, "will you? I want to learn too. "

"And me!" cried Dick, bending forward, nearly upsetting Phronsie as hedid so. "Yes, say I may, Ben, do!"

"You're too little, " began Percy. But Ben nodded his head at Dick, which caused him to clap his hands and return to his original position, satisfied. 

"Well, I guess we're going to, too, " said Joel. "Dave an' me; thereisn't anybody goin' to learn without us. "

"Of course not, " said Polly, "Ben wouldn't leave you out, Joey. "

Phronsie sat quite still all this time, on the corner of the table, herfeet tucked up under her, and her hands clasped in her lap, and neversaid a word. But Ben looking up, saw the most grieved expressionsettling on her face, as the large eyes were fixed in wonder on thefaces before her. 

"And there's my pet, " he cried in enthusiasm, and reaching over thetable, he caught hold of one of the little fat hands. "Why we couldn'tthink of getting along without her! She shall learn to draw--she shall!"

"Really, Bensie?" said Phronsie, the sunlight breaking all over thegloomy little visage, and setting the brown eyes to dancing. "Real, true, splendid pictures?"

"Yes, the splendidest, " said Ben, "the very splendidest pictures, Phronsie Pepper, you ever saw!"

"Oh!" cried Phronsie; and before any one knew what she was about, she tripped right into the middle of the table, over the papers andeverything, and gave a happy little whirl!

"Dear me, Phronsie!" cried Polly catching her up and hugging her; "youmustn't dance on the table. "

"I'm going to learn, " said Phronsie, coming out of Polly's embrace, "todraw whole pictures, all alone by myself--Ben said so!"

"I know it, " said Polly, "and then you shall draw one for mamsie--youshall!"

"I will, " said Phronsie, dreadfully excited; "I'll draw her a cow, andtwo chickens, Polly, just like Grandma Bascom's!"

"Yes, " whispered Polly, "but don't you tell her yet till you get itdone, Phronsie. "

"I won't, " said Phronsie in the loudest of tones--but putting her mouthclose to Polly's ear. "And then she'll be so s'prised, Polly! won'tshe?"

Just then came Jasper's voice at the door. "Can I come in?"

"Oh, do, Jappy, " cried Polly, rushing along with Phronsie in her arms toopen the door. "We're so glad you've got home!"

"So am I, " said Jasper, coming in, his face flushed and his eyessparkling; "I thought father never would be through downtown, Polly!"

"We're going to learn to draw, " said Percy, over by the table, whowouldn't on any account leave his seat by Ben, though he was awfullytired of sitting still so long, for fear somebody else would hop intoit. "Ben's going to teach us. "

"Yes, he is, " put in Van, bounding up to Jasper and pulling at all thebuttons on his jacket he could reach, to command attention. 

"And us, " said Joel, coming up too. "You forgot us, Van. "

"The whole of us--every single one in this room, " said Van decidedly, "all except Mrs. Pepper. "

"Hulloa!" said Jasper, "that is a class! Well, Professor Ben, you've gotto teach me then, for I'm coming too. "

"You?" said Ben, turning around his chair, and looking at him; "I can'tteach you anything, Jappy. You know everything already. "

"Let him come, anyway, " said Polly, hopping up and down. 

"Oh, I'm coming, Professor, " laughed Jasper. "Never you fear, Polly;I'll be on hand when the rest of the class comes in!"

"And Van, " said Mrs. Pepper, pausing a minute in her work, and smilingover at him in a lull in the chatter--"I think flowers are mostbeautiful!" and she pointed to a little framed picture on the mantel, of the bunch of buttercups and one huge rose that Van had with infinitepatience drawn, and then colored to suit his fancy. 

"Do you?" cried Van, perfectly delighted; and leaving the group herushed up to her side. "Do you really think they're nice, Mrs. Pepper?"

"Of course I do, " said Mrs. Pepper briskly, and beaming on him; "I thinkeverything of them, and I shall keep them as long as I live, Van!"

"Well, then, " said Van, very much pleased, "I shall paint you ever somany more--just as many as you want!"

"Do!" said Mrs. Pepper, taking up her work again. "And I'll hang themevery one up. "

"Yes, I will, " said Van; "and I'll go right to work on one to-morrow. What you mending our jackets for?" he asked abruptly as a familiar holecaught his attention. 

"Because they're torn, " said Mrs. Pepper cheerfully, "an' they won'tmend themselves. "

"Why don't you let Jane?" he persisted. "She always does them. "

"Jane's got enough to do, " replied Mrs. Pepper, smiling away as hardas she could, "and I haven't, so I'm going to look around and pick upsomething to keep my hands out of mischief as much as I can, while I'mhere. "

"Do you ever get into mischief?" asked little Dick, coming up andlooking into Mrs. Pepper's face wonderingly. "Why, you're a big woman!"

"Dear me, yes!" said Mrs. Pepper. "The bigger you are, the more mischiefyou can get into. You'll find that out, Dickey. "

"And then do you have to stand in a corner?" asked Dick, determinedto find out just what were the consequences, and reverting to his mostdreaded punishment. 

"No, " said Mrs. Pepper laughing. "Corners are for little folks; butwhen people who know better, do wrong, there aren't any corners they cancreep into, or they'd get into them pretty quick!"

"I wish, " said little Dick, "you'd let me get into your lap. That wouldbe a nice corner!"

"Do, mamsie, " said Polly, coming up, "that's just the way I used tofeel; and I'll finish the mending. "

So Mrs. Pepper put down her work, and moved the big basket for littleDick to clamber up, when he laid his head contentedly back in hermotherly arms with a sigh of happiness. Phronsie regarded him with avery grave expression. At last she drew near: "I'm tired; do, mamsie, take me!"

"So mamsie will, " said Mrs. Pepper, opening her arms, when Phronsieimmediately crawled up into their protecting shelter, with a happylittle crow. 

"Oh, now, tell us a story, Mrs. Pepper, " cried Van; "please, please do!"

"No, no;" exclaimed Percy, scuttling out of his chair, and coming up, "let's talk of the little brown house. Do tell us what you used to dothere--that's best. "

"So 'tis!" cried Van; "ALL the nice times you used to have in it! Waitjust a minute, do. " And he ran back for a cricket which he placedat Mrs. Pepper's feet; and then sitting down on it, he leaned on hercomfortable lap, in order to hear better. 

"Wait for me too, till I get a chair, " called Percy, starting. "Don'tbegin till I get there. "

"Here, let me, Percy, " said Ben; and he drew forward a big easy-chairthat the boy was tugging at with all his might. 

"Now I'm ready, too, " said Polly, setting small finishing stitchesquickly with a merry little flourish, and drawing her chair nearer hermother's as she spoke. 

"Now begin, please, " said Van, "all the nice times you know. "

"She couldn't tell all the nice times if she had ten years to tell themin, could she, Polly?" said Jasper. 

"Well, in the first place then, " said Mrs. Pepper, clearing her throat, "the little brown house had got to be, you know, so we made up our mindsto make it just the nicest brown house that ever was!"

"And it was!" declared Jasper, with an emphatic ring to his voice. "Thevery nicest place in the whole world!"

"Oh dear, " broke in Van enviously; "Jappy's always said so. I wish we'dbeen there, too!"

"We didn't want anybody but Jappy, " said Joel not very politely. 

"Oh Joey, for shame!" cried Polly. 

"Jappy used to bake, " cried little Davie; "an' we all made pies; an'then we sat round an' ate 'em, an' then told stories. "

"Oh what fun!" cried Percy. "Do tell us!"

So the five little Peppers and Jasper flew off into reminiscences andaccounts of the funny doings, and Mrs. Pepper joined in heartily tillthe room got very merry with the glee and enthusiasm called forth; somuch so, that nobody heard Mrs. Whitney knock gently at the door, andnobody answering, she was obliged to come in by herself. 

"Well, well, " she cried, merrily, looking at the swarm of little onesaround Mrs. Pepper and the big chair. "You are having a nice time! May Icome and listen?"

"Oh, if you will, sister, " cried Jasper, springing off from his arm ofthe chair, while Ben flew from the other side, to hurry and get her achair. 

Percy and Van rushed too, knocking over so many things that they didn'thelp much; and little Dick poked his head out from Mrs. Pepper's armswhen he saw his mamma sitting down to stay and began to scramble down toget into her lap. 

"There now, " said Mrs. Whitney, smiling over at Mrs. Pepper, who wassmiling at her. "You have your baby, and I have mine! Now children, what's it all about? What has Mrs. Pepper been telling you?"

"Oh, the little brown house, " cried Dicky, his cheeks all a-flame. "Thedearest little house mamma! I wish I could live in one!

"Twouldn't be the same without the Peppers in it, " said Jasper. "Not abit of it!"

"And they had such perfectly elegant times, " cried Percy, enviously, drawing up to her side. "Oh, you can't think, mamma!"

"Well now, " said his mamma, "do go on, and let me hear some of the nicetimes. "

So away they launched again, and Mrs. Whitney was soon enjoying it ashugely as the children, when a heavy step sounded in the middle of theroom, and a voice spoke in such a tone that everybody skipped. 

"Well, I should like to know what all this means! I've been all over thehouse, and not a trace of anybody could I find. "

"Oh father!" cried Mrs. Whitney. "Van, dear, get up and get grandpapa achair. "

"No, no!" said the old gentleman, waving him off impatiently. "I'm notgoing to stay; I must go and lie down. My head is in a bad conditionto-day; very bad indeed, " he added. 

"Oh!" said Phronsie, popping up her head and looking at him. "I must getright down. "

"What's the matter, Phronsie?" asked Mrs. Pepper, trying to hold herback. 

"Oh, but I must, " said Phronsie, energetically wriggling. "My poor sickman wants me, he does. " And flying out of her mother's arms, she ran upto Mr. King, and standing on tiptoe, said softly, "I'll rub your head, grandpa dear, poor sick man; yes I will. "

"And you're the best child, " cried the old gentleman, catching herup and marching over to the other side of the room where there was alounging chair. "There now, you and I, Phronsie, will stay by ourselves. Then my head will feel better. "

And he sat down and drew her into his arms. 

"Does it ache very bad?" said Phronsie, in a soft little voice. Thenreaching up she began to pat and smooth it gently with one little hand, "Very bad, dear grandpa?"

"It won't, " said the old gentleman, "if you only keep on taking care ofit, little Phronsie. "

"Then, " said the child, perfectly delighted, "I'm going to take all careof you, grandpa, always!"

"So you shall, so you shall!" cried Mr. King, no less delighted than shewas. "Mrs. Pepper!"

"Sir?" said Mrs. Pepper, trying to answer, which she couldn't do verywell surrounded as she was by the crowd of little chatterers. "Yes, Sir;excuse me what is it, sir?"

"We've got to come to an understanding about this thing, " said the oldgentleman, "and I can't talk much to-day, because my headache won'tallow it. "

Here the worried look came into Phronsie's face again, and she began totry to smooth his head with both little hands. 

"And so I must say it all in as few words as possible, " he continued. 

"What is it, sir?" again asked Mrs. Pepper, wonderingly. 

"Well, the fact is, I've got to have somebody who will keep this house. Now Marian, not a word!" as he saw symptoms of Mrs. Whitney's joiningin the conversation. "You've been good; just as good as can be under thecircumstances; but Mason will be home in the fall, and then I supposeyou'll have to go with him. Now I, " said the old gentleman, forgettingall about his head, and straightening himself up suddenly in the chair, "am going to get things into shape, so that the house will be kept forall of us; so that we can come or go. And how can I do it better than tohave the Peppers--you, Mrs. Pepper, and all your children--come here andlive, and--"

"Oh, father!" cried Jasper, rushing up to him; and flinging his armsaround his neck, he gave him such a hug as he hadn't received for many aday. 

"Goodness, Jasper!" cried his father, feeling of his throat. "How canyou express your feelings so violently! And, besides, you interrupt. "

"Beg pardon, sir, " said Jasper, swallowing his excitement, and trying tocontrol his eagerness. 

"Do you say yes, Mrs. Pepper?" queried the old gentleman impatiently. "I must get this thing fixed up to-day. I'm really too ill to be worriedma'am. "

"Why sir, " stammered Mrs. Pepper, "I don't know what to say. I couldn'tthink of imposing all my children on you, and--"

"Imposing! Who's talking of imposing!" said Mr. King in a loud key. "I want my house kept; will you live here and keep it? That is thequestion. "

"But sir, " began Mrs. Pepper again, "you don't think--"

"I do think; I tell you, ma'am, I do think, " snapped the old gentleman. "It's just because I have thought that I've made up my mind. Will you doit Mrs. Pepper?"

"What are you goin' to do, mamsie?" asked Joel quickly. 

"I don't know as I'm going to do anything yet, " said poor Mrs. Pepper, who was almost stunned. 

"To come here and live!" cried Jasper, unable to keep still anylonger--and springing to the children. "Don't you want to, Joe?"

"To live!" screamed Joel. "Oh whickety, yes! Do ma, do come here andlive--do!"

"To live?" echoed Phronsie, over in the old gentleman's lap. "In thisbe-yew-ti-ful place? Oh, oh!"

"Oh, mamsie!" that was all Polly could say. 

And even Ben had his arms around his mother's neck, whispering "Do" intoher ear, while little Davie got into her lap and teased her with all hismight. 

"What shall I do!" cried the poor woman. "Did ever anybody see thelike?"

"It's the very best thing you could possibly do, " cried the oldgentleman. "Don't you see it's for the children's advantage? They'll getsuch educations, Mrs. Pepper, as you want for them. And it accommodatesme immensely. What obstacle can there be to it?"

"If I was only sure 'twas best?" said Mrs. Pepper doubtfully. 

"Oh, dear Mrs. Pepper, " said Mrs. Whitney, laying her hand on hers. "Canyou doubt it?"

"Then, " said Mr. King, getting up, but still holding on to Phronsie, "we'll consider it settled. This is your home, children, " he said, waving his hand at the five little Peppers in a bunch. And having thussummarily disposed of the whole business, he marched out with Phronsieon his shoulder. 

POLLY'S DISMAL MORNING

Everything had gone wrong with Polly that day. It began with her boots. 

Of all things in the world that tried Polly's patience most were thetroublesome little black buttons that originally adorned those usefulparts of her clothing, and that were fondly supposed to be there whenneeded. But they never were. The little black things seemed to beinvested with a special spite, for one by one they would hop off on theslightest provocation, and go rolling over the floor, just when she wasin her most terrible hurry, compelling her to fly for needle and threadon the instant. For one thing Mrs. Pepper was very strict about--andthat was, Polly should do nothing else till the buttons were all onagain, and the boots buttoned up firm and snug. 

"Oh dear!" said Polly, sitting down on the floor, and pulling on herstockings. "There now, see that hateful old shoe, mamsie!" And shethrust out one foot in dismay. 

"What's the matter with it?" said Mrs. Pepper straightening the thingson the bureau. "You haven't worn it out already, Polly?"

"Oh no, " said Polly, with a little laugh. "I hope not yet, but it'sthese dreadful hateful old buttons!" And she twitched the boot off fromher foot with such an impatient little pull, that three or four morewent flying under the bed. "There now--there's a lot more. I don't care!I wish they'd all go; they might as well!" she cried, tossing that booton the floor in intense scorn, while she investigated the state of theother one. 

"Are they all off?" asked Phronsie, pulling herself up out of a littleheap in the middle of the bed, and leaning over the side, where sheviewed Polly sorrowfully. "Every one, Polly?"

"No, " said Polly, "but I wish they were, mean old things; when I wasgoing down to play a duet with Jasper! We should have had a good longtime before breakfast. Oh, mayn't I go just once, mamsie? Nobody'llsee me if I tuck my foot under the piano; and I can sew 'em onafterwards--there'll be plenty of time. Do, just once, mamsie!"

"No, " said Mrs. Pepper firmly, "there isn't any time but now. And pianoplaying isn't very nice when you've got to stick your toes under it tokeep your shoes on. "

"Well then, " grumbled Polly, hopping around in her stocking-feet, "whereis the work-basket, mamsie? Oh--here it is on the window-seat. " A rattleof spools, scissors and necessary utensils showed plainly that Polly hadfound it, followed by a jumble of words and despairing ejaculations asshe groped hurriedly under chairs and tables to collect the scatteredcontents. 

When she got back with a very red face, she found Phronsie, who hadcrawled out of bed, sitting down on the floor in her little nightgownand examining the boot with profound interest. 

"I can sew 'em, Polly, " she said, holding up her hand for the big needlethat Polly was trying to thread--"I can now truly; let me, Polly, do!"

"Dear no!" said Polly with a little laugh, beginning to be very muchashamed. "What could you do with your little mites of hands pullingthis big thread through that old leather? There, scamper into bed again;you'll catch cold out here. 

"Tisn't very cold, " said Phronsie, tucking up her toes under thenight-gown, but Polly hurried her into bed, where she curled herselfup under the clothes, watching her make a big knot. But the knotdidn't stay; for when Polly drew up the long thread triumphantly tothe end--out it flew, and away the button hopped again as if glad to bereleased. And then the thread kinked horribly, and got all twisted up indisagreeable little snarls that took all Polly's patience to unravel. 

"It's because you're in such a hurry, " said Mrs. Pepper, who was gettingPhronsie's clothes. And coming over across the room she got down onone knee, and looked over Polly's shoulder. "There now, let mother seewhat's the matter. "

"Oh dear, " said Polly, resigning the needle with a big sigh, and leaningback to take a good stretch, followed by Phronsie's sympathizing eyes;"they never'll be on! And there goes the first bell!" as the loud soundsunder Jane's vigorous ringing pealed up over the stairs. "There won'tbe time anyway, now! I wish there wasn't such a thing as shoes in theworld!" And she gave a flounce and sat up straight in front of hermother. 

"Polly!" said Mrs. Pepper sternly, deftly fastening the little buttonstightly into place with quick, firm stitches, "better be glad you've gotthem to sew at all. There now, here they are. Those won't come off in ahurry!"

"Oh, mamsie!" cried Polly, ignoring for a moment the delights of thefinished shoe to fling her arms around her mother's neck and give her agood hug. "You're just the splendidest, goodest mamsie in all the world. And I'm a hateful, cross old bear, so I am!" she cried remorsefully, buttoning herself into her boots. Which done, she flew at the rest ofher preparations and tried to make up for lost time. 

But 'twas all of no use. The day seemed to be always just racing aheadof her, and turning a corner, before she could catch up to it, and Benand the other boys only caught dissolving views of her as she flittedthrough halls or over stairs. 

"Where's Polly?" said Percy at last, coming with great dissatisfactionin his voice to the library door. "We've called her, I guess a milliontimes, and she won't hurry. "

"What do you want to have her do?" asked Jasper, looking up from thesofa where he had flung himself with a book. 

"Why, she said she'd make Van and me our sails you know, " said Percy, holding up a rather forlorn looking specimen of a boat, but which theboys had carved with the greatest enthusiasm, "and we want her now. "

"Can't you let her alone till she's ready to come?" said Jasper quickly. "You're always teasing her to do something, " he added. 

"I didn't tease, " said Percy indignantly, coming up to the sofa, boatin hand, to enforce his words. "She said she'd love to do 'em, so there, Jasper King!"

"Coming! coming!" sang Polly over the stairs, and bobbing into thelibrary, "Oh--here you are, Percy! I couldn't come before; mamsie wantedme. Now, says I, for the sails. " And she began to flap out a long whitepiece of cotton cloth on the table to trim into just the desired shape. 

"That isn't the way, " said Percy, crowding up, the brightness that hadflashed over his face at Polly's appearance beginning to fade. "Hoh!those won't be good for anything--those ain't sails. "

"I haven't finished, " said Polly, snipping away vigorously, and longingto get back to mamsie. "Wait till they're done; then they'll be good--asgood as can be!"

"And it's bad enough to have to make them, " put in Jasper, flingingaside his book and rolling over to watch them, "without having to befound fault with every second, Percy. "

"They're too big, " said Percy, surveying them critically, and thenlooking at his boat. 

"Oh, that corner's coming off, " cried Polly cheerfully, giving it asharp cut that sent it flying on the floor. "And they won't be too bigwhen they're done, Percy, all hemmed and everything. There, " as she heldone up for inspection, "that's just the way I used to make Ben's andmine, when we sailed boats. "

"Is it?" asked Percy, looking with more respect at the piece of clothPolly was waving alluringly before him. "Just exactly like it, Polly?"

"Yes, " said Polly, laying it down again for a pattern--"oh, how doesthis go--oh--that's it, there--yes, this is just exactly like Bensie'sand mine--that was when I was ever so little; and then I used to makeJoel's and Davie's afterwards and--"

"And were theirs just like this?" asked Percy, laying his hand on thesail she had finished cutting out. 

"Pre-cisely, " said Polly, with a pin in her mouth. "Just as like as twopeas, Percy Whitney. "

"Then I like them, " cried Percy, veering round and regarding them withgreat satisfaction--as Van bounded in with a torrent of complaints, andgreat disappointment in every line of his face. 

"Oh now, that's too bad!" he cried, seeing Polly fold up the remainingbits of cloth, and pick up the scraps on the floor. "And you've goneand let her cut out every one of 'em, and never told me a word! You're amean, old hateful thing, Percy Whitney!"

"Oh don't!" said Polly, on her knees on the floor. 

"I forgot--" began Percy, "and she cut 'em so quick--and--"

"And I've been waiting, " said Van, in a loud wrathful key, "andwaiting--and waiting!"

"Never mind, Van, " said Jasper consolingly, getting off from the sofaand coming up to the table. 

"They're done and done beautifully, aren't they?" he said, holding upone. 

But this only proved fresh fuel for the fire of Van's indignation. 

"And you shan't have 'em, so!" he cried, making a lunge at the one onthe table, "for I made most of the boat, there!"

"Oh no, you didn't!" cried Percy in the greatest alarm, hanging on tothe boat in his hand. "I cut--all the keel--and the bow--and--"

"Oh dear!" said Polly, in extreme dismay, looking at Jasper. "Come, I'lltell you what I'll do, boys. "

"What?" said Van, cooling off a little, and allowing Percy to edge intoa corner with the beloved boat and one sail. "What will you, Polly?"

"I'll make you another pair of sails, " said Polly groaning withinherself as she thought of the wasted minutes, "and then you can see mecut 'em, Van. "

"Will you really, " he said, delight coming all over his flushed face. 

"Yes, I will, " cried Polly, "wait a minute till I get some more cloth. "And she started for the door. 

"Oh now, that's too bad!" said Jasper. "To have to cut more of thosetiresome old things! Van, let her off!"

"Oh no, I won't! I won't!" he cried in the greatest alarm, running up toher as she stood by the door. "You did say so, Polly! You know you did!"

"Of course I did, Vanny, " said Polly, smiling down into his eager face, "and we'll have a splendid pair in just--one--minute!" she sang. 

And so the sails were cut out, and the hems turned down and basted, andtucked away into Polly's little work-basket ready for the sewing on themorrow. And then Mr. King came in and took Jasper off with him; and thetwo Whitney boys went up to mamma for a story; and Polly sat down inmamsie's room to tackle her French exercise. 

POLLY'S BIG BUNDLE

The room was very quiet; but presently Phronsie strayed in, and seeingPolly studying, climbed up in a chair by the window to watch the birdshop over the veranda and pick up worms in the grass beside the carriagedrive. And then came Mrs. Pepper with the big mending basket, andensconced herself opposite by the table; and nothing was to be heard butthe "tick, tick" of the clock, and an occasional dropping of a spoolof thread, or scissors, from the busy hands flying in and out among thestockings. 

All of a sudden there was a great rustling in Cherry's cage that swungin the big window on the other side of the room. And then he set up aloud and angry chirping, flying up and down, and opening his mouth as ifhe wanted to express his mind, but couldn't, and otherwise acting in avery strange and unaccountable manner. 

"Dear me!" said Mrs. Pepper, "what's that?"

"It's Cherry, " said Polly, lifting up her head from "Fasquelle, ""and--oh, dear me!" and flinging down the pile of books in her lap on achair, she rushed across the room and flew up to the cage and began towildly gesticulate and explain and shower down on him every endearingname she could think of. 

"What is the matter?" asked her mother, turning around in her chair inperfect astonishment. "What upon earth, Polly!"

"How could I!" cried Polly, in accents of despair, not heeding hermother's question. "Oh, mamsie, will he die, do you think?"

"I guess not, " said Mrs. Pepper, laying down her work and coming up tothe cage, while Phronsie scrambled off from her chair and hurried to thescene. "Why, he does act queer, don't he? P'raps he's been eating toomuch?"

"Eating!" said Polly, "oh mamsie, he hasn't had anything. " And shepointed with shame and remorse to the seed-cup with only a few driedhusks in the very bottom. 

"Oh, Polly, " began Mrs. Pepper; but seeing the look on her face, shechanged her tone for one more cheerful. "Well, hurry and get him somenow; he'll be all right, poor little thing, in a minute. There, there, "she said, nodding persuasively at the cage, "you pretty creature you! soyou sha'n't be starved. "

At the word "starved, " Polly winced as though a pin had been pointed ather. 

"There isn't any, mamsie, in the house, " she stammered; "he had the lastyesterday. "

"And you forgot him to-day?" asked Mrs. Pepper, with a look in her blackeyes Polly didn't like. 

"Yes'm, " said poor Polly in a low voice. 

"Well, he must have something right away, " said Mrs. Pepper, decidedly. "That's certain. "

"I'll run right down to Fletcher's and get it, " cried Polly. 

"Twon't take me but a minute, mamsie; Jasper's gone, and Thomas, too, soI've got to go, " she added, as she saw her mother hesitate. 

"If you could wait till Ben gets home, " said Mrs. Pepper, slowly. "I'mmost afraid it will rain, Polly. "

"Oh, no, mamsie, " cried Polly, feeling as if she could fly to the endsof the earth to atone, and longing beside for the brisk walk down town. Going up to the window she pointed triumphantly to the little bit ofblue sky still visible. "There, now, see, it can't rain yet awhile. "

"Well, " said Mrs. Pepper, while Phronsie, standing in a chair with herface pressed close to the cage, was telling Cherry through the bars "notto be hungry, please don't!" which he didn't seem to mind in the least, but went on screaming harder than ever! "And besides, 'tisn't much useto wait for Ben. Nobody knows where he'll get shoes to fit himself andJoe and Davie, in one afternoon! But be sure, Polly, to hurry, for it'sgetting late, and I shall be worried about you. 

"Oh, mamsie, " said Polly, turning back just a minute, "I know the way toFletcher's just as easy as anything. I couldn't get lost. "

"I know you do, " said Mrs. Pepper, "but it'll be dark early on accountof the shower. Well, " she said, pulling out her well-worn purse from herpocket, "if it does sprinkle, you get into a car, Polly, remember. "

"Oh, yes, I will, " she cried, taking the purse. 

"And there's ten cents for your bird seed in that pocket, " said Mrs. Pepper, pointing to a coin racing away into a corner by itself. 

"Yes'm, " said Polly, wild to be off. 

"And there's a five-cent piece in that one for you to ride up with, "said her mother, tying up the purse carefully. "Remember, for you toride up with. Well, I guess you better ride up anyway, Polly, come tothink, and then you'll get home all the quicker. "

"Where you going?" asked Phronsie, who on seeing the purse knew therewas some expedition on foot, and beginning to clamber down out of thechair. "Oh, I want to go too, I do. Take me, Polly!"

"Oh, no. Pet, I can't, " cried Polly, "I've got to hurry likeeverything!"

"I can hurry too, " cried Phronsie, drawing her small figure to itsutmost height, "oh, so fast, Polly!"

"And it's ever so far, " cried Polly, in despair, as she saw the smallunder lip of the child begin to quiver. "Oh, dear me, mamsie, what shallI do!"

"Run right along, " said Mrs. Pepper, briskly. "Now, Phronsie, you and Iought to take care of Cherry, poor thing. "

At this Phronsie turned and wiped away two big tears, while she gazed upat the cage in extreme commiseration. 

"I guess I'll give him a piece of bread, " said Mrs. Pepper to herself. At this word "bread, " Polly, who was half way down the hall, camerunning back. 

"Oh, mamsie, don't, " she said. "It made him sick before, don't you knowit did--so fat and stuffy. "

"Well, hurry along then, " said Mrs. Pepper, and Polly was off. 

Over the ground she sped, only intent on reaching the bird store, herspeed heightened by the dark and rolling bank of cloud that seemed toshut right down suddenly over her and envelop her warningly. 

"It's good I've got the money to ride up with, " she thought to herself, hurrying along through the busy streets, filled now with anxious crowdshomeward rushing to avoid the threatening shower. "Well, here I am, " shesaid with a sigh of relief, as she at last reached Mr. Fletcher's bigbird store. 

Here she steadily resisted all temptations to stop and look at the newarrivals of birds, and to feed the carrier-pigeons who seemed to beexpecting her, and who turned their soft eyes up at her reproachfullywhen she failed to pay her respects to them. Even the cunningblandishments of a very attractive monkey that always had entertainedthe children on their numerous visits, failed to interest her now. Mamsie would be worrying, she knew; and besides, the sight of so manybirds eating their suppers out of generously full seed-cups, only filledher heart with remorse as she thought of poor Cherry and his empty one. 

So she put down her ten cents silently on the counter, and took up thelittle package of seed, and went out. 

But what a change! The cloud that had seemed but a cloud when she wentin, was now fast descending in big ominous sprinkles that told of aheavy shower to follow. Quick and fast they came, making everybody flyto the nearest shelter. 

"I don't care, " said Polly to herself, holding fast her little package. "I'll run and get in the car--then I'll be all right. "

So she went on with nimble footsteps, dodging the crowd, and soon cameto the corner. A car was just in sight--that was fine! Polly put herhand in her pocket for her purse, to have it all ready--but as quicklydrew it out again and stared wildly at the car, which she allowed topass by. Her pocket was empty!

"Oh, dear, " she said to herself, as a sudden gust of wind blew aroundthe corner, and warned her to move on, "now what shall I do! Well, Imust hurry. Nothing for it but to run now!"

And secretly glad at the chance for a good hearty run along the hardpavements, a thing she had been longing to do ever since she came to thecity, Polly gathered her bundle of seed up under her arm, and set outfor a jolly race. She was enjoying it hugely, when--a sudden turn of thecorner brought her up against a gentleman, who, having his umbrella downto protect his face, hadn't seen her till it was too late. 

Polly never could tell how it was done; but the first thing she knew shewas being helped up from the wet, slippery pavement by a kind hand; anda gentleman's voice said in the deepest concern:

"I beg your pardon; it was extremely careless in me. "

"It's no matter, " said Polly, hopping up with a little laugh, andstraightening her hat. "Only--" and she began to look for her parcelthat had been sent spinning. 

"What is it?" said the gentleman, bending down and beginning to explore, too, in the darkness. 

"My bundle, " began Polly. "Oh, dear!"

No need to ask for it now! There lay the paper wet and torn, down attheir feet. The seed lay all over the pavement, scattered far and wideeven out to the puddles in the street. And not a cent of money to getany more with! The rain that was falling around them as they stood theresent with the sound of every drop such a flood of misery into Polly'sheart!

"What was it, child?" asked the gentleman, peering sharply to find outwhat the little shiny things were. 

"Bird-seed, " gasped Polly. 

"Is that all?" said the gentleman with a happy laugh. "I'm very glad. "

"All!" Polly's heart stood still as she thought of Cherry, stark andstiff in the bottom of his cage, if he didn't get it soon. "Now, " saidthe kind tones, briskly, "come, little girl, we'll make this all rightspeedily. Let's see--here's a bird store. Now, then. "

"But, sir--" began Polly, holding back. 

Even Cherry had better die than to do anything her mother wouldn't like. But the gentleman already had her in the shop, and was delighting theheart of the shop-keeper by ordering him to do up a big package of allkinds of seed. And then he added a cunning arrangement for birds toswing in, and two or three other things that didn't have anything to dowith birds at all. And then they came out on the wet, slippery streetagain. 

"Now, then, little girl, " said the gentleman, tucking the bundle underhis arm, and opening the umbrella; then he took hold of Polly's hand, who by this time was glad of a protector. "Where do you live? For I'mgoing to take you safely home this time where umbrellas can't run intoyou. "

"Oh!" said Polly, with a little skip. "Thank you sir! It's up to Mr. King's; and--"

"What!" said the gentleman, stopping short in the midst of an immensepuddle, and staring at her, "Mr. Jasper King's?"

"I don't know sir, " said Polly, "what his other name is. Yes it must beJasper; that's what Jappy's is, anyway, " she added with a little laugh, wishing very much that she could see Jappy at that identical moment. 

"Jappy!" said the stranger, still standing as if petrified. "And arethere little Whitney children in the same house!"

"Oh, yes, " said Polly, raising her clear, brown eyes up at him. The gaslighter was just beginning his rounds, and the light from a neighboringlamp flashed full on Polly's face as she spoke, showing just how clearand brown the eyes were. "There's Percy, and Van, and little Dick--oh, he's so cunning!" she cried, impulsively. 

The gentleman's face looked very queer just then; but he merely said:

"Why, you must be Polly?"

"Yes, sir, I am, " said Polly, pleased to think he knew her. And then shetold him how she'd forgotten Cherry's seed, and all about it. "Andoh, sir, " she said, and her voice began to tremble, "Mamsie'll be sofrightened if I don't get there soon!"

"I'm going up there myself, so that it all happens very nicely, " saidthe gentleman, commencing to start off briskly, and grasping her handtighter. "Now, then, Polly. "

So off they went at a very fast pace; she, skipping through the puddlesthat his long, even strides carried him safely over, chattered awayby his side under the umbrella, and answered his many questions, andaltogether got so very well acquainted that by the time they turned inat the old stone gateway, she felt as if she had known him for years. 

And there, the first thing they either of them saw, down in a littlecorner back of the tall evergreens, was a small heap that rose as theysplashed up the carriage-drive, and resolved itself into a very reddress and a very white apron, as it rushed impulsively up and flungitself into Polly's wet arms:

"And I was so tired waiting, Polly!"

"Oh dear me, Phronsie!" cried Polly, huddling her up from the dark, wetground. "You'll catch your death! What will mamsie say!"

The stranger, amazed at this new stage of the proceedings, was vainlytrying to hold the umbrella over both, till the procession could move onagain. 

"Oh!" cried Phronsie, shaking her yellow head decidedly, "they're alllooking for you, Polly. " She pointed one finger solemnly up to the bigcarved door as she spoke. At that Polly gathered her up close and beganto walk with rapid footsteps up the path. 

"Do let me carry you, little girl, " said Polly's kind friendpersuasively, bending down to the little face on Polly's neck. 

"Oh, no, no, no!" said Phronsie, at each syllable grasping Polly aroundthe throat in perfect terror, and waving him off with a very crumpled, mangy bit of paper, that had already done duty to wipe off the copioustears during her anxious watch. "Don't let him, Polly, don't!"

"There sha'n't anything hurt you, " said Polly, kissing her reassuringly, and stepping briskly off with her burden, just as the door burst open, and Joel flew out on the veranda steps, followed by the rest of thetroop in the greatest state of excitement. 

"Oh, whickety! she's come!" he shouted, springing up to her over thepuddles, and crowding under the umbrella. "Where'd you get Phronsie?" heasked, standing quite still at sight of the little feet tucked up to getout of the rain. And without waiting for an answer he turned and shotback into the house proclaiming in stentorian tones, "Ma, Polly'scome--an' she's got Phronsie--an' an awful big man--and they're out bythe gate!"

"Phronsie!" said Mrs. Pepper, springing to her feet, "why, I thought shewas up-stairs with Jane. "

"Now, somebody, " exclaimed old Mr. King, who sat by the library tablevainly trying to read a newspaper, which he now threw down in extremeirritation as he rose quickly and went to the door to welcome thewanderers, "somebody ought to watch that poor child, whose businessit is to know where she is! She's caught her death-cold, no doubt, nodoubt!"

Outside, in the rain, the children revolved around and around Polly andPhronsie, hugging and kissing them, until nobody could do much more thanbreathe, not seeming to notice the stranger, who stood quietly waitingtill such time as he could be heard. 

At last, in a lull in the scramble, as they were dragging Polly and herburden up the steps, each wild for the honor of escorting her into thehouse, he cried out in laughing tones:

"Isn't anybody going to kiss me, I wonder!"

The two little Whitneys, who were eagerly clutching Polly's arms, turned around; and Percy rubbed his eyes in a puzzled way, as Joel said, stopping a minute to look up at the tall figure:

"We don't ever kiss strangers--mamsie's told us not to. "

"For shame, Joey!" cried Polly, feeling her face grow dreadfully red inthe darkness, "the gentleman's been so kind to me!"

"You're right, my boy, " said the stranger, laughing and bending downto Joel's upturned, sturdy countenance, at the same instant that Mrs. Pepper flung open the big door, and a bright, warm light fell straightacross his handsome face. And then--well, then Percy gave a violentbound, and upsetting Joel as he did so, wriggled his way down thesteps--at the same time that Van, on Polly's other side, rushed up tothe gentleman:

"Papa--oh, papa!"

Polly, half way up the steps, turned around, and then, at the rush offeeling that gathered at her heart, sat right down on the wet slipperystep. 

"Why, Polly Pepper!" exclaimed Joel, not minding his own upset. "You'reright in all the slush--mother won't like it, I tell you!"

"Hush!" cried Polly, catching his arm, "he's come--oh, Joel--he's come!"

"Who?" cried Joel, staring around blindly, "who, Polly?" Polly had justopened her lips to explain, when Mr. King's portly, handsome figureappeared in the doorway. "Do come in, children--why--good gracious, Mason!"

"Yes, " cried the stranger, lightly, dropping his big bundle and umbrellaas he passed in the door, with his little sons clinging to him. "Whereis Marian?"

"Why didn't you write?" asked the old gentleman, testily. "Thesesurprises aren't the right sort of things, " and he began to feelvigorously of his heart. "Here, Mrs. Pepper, be so good as to call Mrs. Whitney. "

"Pepper! Pepper!" repeated Mr. Whitney, perplexedly. 

"She's coming--I hear her up-stairs, " cried Van Whitney. "Oh, let metell her!" He struggled to get down from his father's arms as he saidthis. 

"No, I shall--I heard her first!" cried Percy. "Oh, dear me! Grandpapa'sgoing to!"

Mr. King advanced to the foot of the staircase as his daughter, allunconscious, ran down with a light step, and a smile on her face. 

"Has Polly come?" she asked, seeing only her father. "Yes, " replied theold gentleman, shortly, "and she's brought a big bundle, Marian!"

"A big bundle?" she repeated wonderingly, and gazing at him. 

"A very big bundle, " he said, and taking hold of her shoulders he turnedher around on--her husband. 

So Polly and Phronsie crept in unnoticed after all. 

"I wish Ben was here, " said little Davie, capering around the Whitneygroup, "an' Jappy, I do!"

"Where are they!" asked Polly. 

"Don't know, " said Joel, tugging at his shoe-string. "See--aren't theseprime!" He held up a shining black shoe, fairly bristling with newness, for Polly to admire. 

"Splendid, " she cried heartily; "but where are the boys?"

"They went after you, " said Davie, "after we came home with our shoes. "

"No, they didn't, " contradicted Joel, flatly; and sitting down on thefloor he began to tie and untie his new possessions. "When we came homeBen drew us pictures--lots of 'em--don't you know?"

"Oh, yes, " said Davie, nodding his head, "so he did; that was when weall cried 'cause you weren't home, Polly. "

"He drawed me a be-yew-tiful one, " cried Phronsie, holding up her mangybit; "see, Polly, see!"

"That's the little brown house, " said Davie, looking over her shoulderas Phronsie put it carefully into Polly's hand. 

"It's all washed out, " said Polly, smoothing it out, "when you staid outin the rain. "

Phronsie's face grew very grave at that. 

"Bad, naughty old rain, " she said, and then she began to cry as hard asshe could. 

"Oh dear, don't!" cried Polly in dismay, trying her best to stop her, "oh, Phronsie, do stop!" she implored, pointing into the next roomwhence the sound of happy voices issued, "they'll all hear you!"

But Phronsie in her grief didn't care, but wailed on steadily. 

"Who is it anyway?" cried Joel, tired of admiring his precious shoes, and getting up to hear them squeak, "that great big man, you know, Polly, that came in with you?"

"Why, I thought I told you, " said Polly, at her wit's end over Phronsie. "It's Percy and Van's father, Joey!"

"Whockey!" cried Joel, completely stunned, "really and truly, PollyPepper?"

"Really and truly, " cried Polly, bundling Phronsie up in her arms to laythe little wet cheek against hers. 

"Then I'm going to peek, " cried Joel, squeaking across the floor tocarry his threat into execution. 

"Oh, you mustn't, Joe!" cried Polly, frightened lest he should. "Comeright back, or I'll tell mamsie!"

"They're all comin' in, anyway, " cried little Davie, delightedly, andscuttling over to Polly's side. 

"And here are the little friends I've heard so much about!" criedMr. Whitney coming in amongst them. "Oh, you needn't introduce me toPolly--she brought me home!"

"They're all Pepperses, " said Percy, waving his hand, and doing thebusiness up at one stroke. 

"Only the best of 'em isn't here, " observed Van, rather ungallantly, "hedraws perfectly elegant, papa!"

"I like Polly best, I do!" cried little Dick, tumbling after. "Peppers!"again repeated Mr. Whitney in a puzzled way. 

"And here is Mrs. Pepper, " said old Mr. King, pompously drawing herforward, "the children's mother, and--"

But here Mrs. Pepper began to act in a very queer way, rubbing her eyesand twisting one corner of her black apron in a decidedly nervous mannerthat, as the old gentleman looked up, he saw with astonishment presentlycommunicated itself to the gentleman opposite. 

"Is it, " said Mr. Whitney, putting out his hand and grasping the hard, toil-worn one in the folds of the apron, "is it cousin Mary?"

"And aren't you cousin John?" she asked, the tears in her bright blackeyes. 

"Of all things in this world!" cried the old gentleman, waving hishead helplessly from one to the other. "Will somebody have the extremegoodness to tell us what all this means?"

At this the little Peppers crowded around their mother, and into all thevacant places they could find, to get near the fascinating scene. 

"Well, " said Mr. Whitney, sitting down and drawing his wife to his side, "it's a long story. You see, when I was a little youngster, and--"

"You were John Whitney then, " put in Mrs. Pepper, slyly. "That's thereason I never knew when they were all talking of Mason Whitney. "

"John Whitney I was, " said Mr. Whitney, laughing, "or rather, Johnny andJack. But Grandmother Mason, when I grew older, wanted me called by mymiddle name to please grandfather. But to go back--when I was a littleshaver, about as big as Percy here--"

"Oh, papa!" began Percy, deprecatingly. To be called "a little shaver"before all the others!

"He means, dearie, " said his mamma, reassuringly, "when he was a boylike you. Now hear what papa is going to say. "

"Well, I was sent up into Vermont to stay at the old place. There was alittle girl there; a bright, black-eyed little girl. She was my cousin, and her name was Mary Bartlett. "

"Who's Mary Bartlett?" asked Joel, interrupting. 

"There she is, sir, " said Mr. Whitney, pointing to Mrs. Pepper, who waslaughing and crying together. 

"Where?" said Joel, utterly bewildered. "I don't see any Mary Bartlett. What does he mean, Polly?"

"I don't know, " said Polly. "Wait, Joey, " she whispered, "he's going totell us all about it. "

"Well, this little cousin and I went to the district school, and hadmany good times together. And then my parents sent for me, and I went toGermany to school; and when I came back I lost sight of her. All I couldfind out was that she had married an Englishman by the name of Pepper. "

"Oh!" cried all the children together. 

"And I always supposed she had gone to England for despite allmy exertions, I could find no trace of her. Ah, Mary, " he saidreproachfully, "why didn't you let me know where you were?"

"I heard, " said Mrs. Pepper, "that you'd grown awfully rich, and Icouldn't. "

"You always were a proud little thing, " he said laughing. "Well, but, "broke in Mr. King, unable to keep silence any longer, "I'd like toinquire, Mason, why you didn't find all this out before, in Marian'sletters, when she mentioned Mrs. Pepper?"

"She didn't ever mention her, " said Mr. Whitney, turning around to facehis questioner, "not as Mrs. Pepper--never once by name. It was alwayseither 'Polly's mother, ' or 'Phronsie's mother. ' Just like a woman, " headded, with a mischievous glance at his wife, "not to be explicit. "

"And just like a man, " she retorted, with a happy little laugh, "not toask for explanations. "

"I hear Jappy, " cried Polly, in a glad voice, "and Ben--oh, good!" asa sound of rushing footsteps was heard over the veranda steps, and downthe long hall. 

The door was thrown suddenly open, and Jasper plunged in, his faceflushed with excitement, and after him Ben, looking a little as he didwhen Phronsie was lost, while Prince squeezed panting in between the twoboys. 

"Has Polly got--" began Jasper. 

"Oh, yes, I'm here, " cried Polly, springing up to them; "oh, Ben!"

"She has, " cried Joel, disentangling himself from the group, "don't yousee, Jappy?"

"She's all home, " echoed Phronsie, flying up. "Oh, Ben, do draw meanother little house!"

"And see--see!" cried the little Whitneys, pointing with jubilantfingers to their papa, "see what she brought!"

Jasper turned around at that--and then rushed forward. 

"Oh, brother Mason!"

"Well, Jasper, " said Mr. Whitney, a whole wealth of affection beaming onthe boy, "how you have stretched up in six months!"

"Haven't I?" said Jasper, laughing, and drawing himself up to hisfullest height. 

"He's a-standin' on tip-toe, " said Joel critically, who was hoveringnear. "I most know he is!" and he bent down to examine the position ofJasper's heels. 

"Not a bit of it, Joe!" cried Jasper, with a merry laugh, and settingboth feet with a convincing thud on the floor. 

"Well, anyway, I'll be just as big, " cried Joel, "when I'm thirteen, so!"

Just then a loud and quick rap on the table made all the children skip, and stopped everybody's tongue. It came from Mr. King. 

"Phronsie, " said he, "come here, child. I can't do anything withoutyou, " and held out his hand. Phronsie immediately left Ben, who washanging over Polly as if he never meant to let her go out of his sightagain, and went directly over to the old gentleman's side. 

"Now, then!" He swung her upon his shoulder, where she perched like alittle bird, gravely surveying the whole group. One little hand stolearound the old gentleman's neck, and patted his cheek softly, which sopleased him that for a minute or two he stood perfectly still so thateverybody might see it. 

"Now, Phronsie, you must tell all these children so that they'llunderstand--say everything just as I tell you, mind!"

"I will, " said Phronsie, shaking her small head wisely, "every singlething. "

"Well, then, now begin--"

"Well, then, now begin, " said Phronsie, looking down on the faces withan air as much like Mr. King's as was possible, and finishing up withtwo or three little nods. 

"Oh, no, dear, that isn't it, " cried the old gentleman, "I'll tell you. Say, Phronsie, 'you are all cousins--every one. '"

"You are all cousins--every one, " repeated little Phronsie, simply, shaking her yellow head into the very middle of the group. 

"Does she mean it, grandpapa? Does she mean it?" cried Percy, in thegreatest excitement. 

"As true as everything?" demanded Joel, crowding in between them. 

"As true as--truth!" said the old gentleman solemnly, patting thechild's little fat hand. "So make the most of it. "

"Oh!" said Polly, with a long sigh. And then Jasper and she took hold ofhands and had a good spin!

Joel turned around with two big eyes on Percy. 

"We're cousins!" he said. 

"I know it, " said Percy, "and so's Van!"

"Yes, " said Van, flying up, "and I'm cousin to Polly, too--that's best!"

"Can't I be a Cousin?" cried little Dick, crowding up, with two redcheeks. "Isn't anybody going to be a cousin to me, too?"

"Everybody but Jasper, " said the old gentleman, laughing heartily atthem. "You and I, my boy, " he turned to his son, "are left out in thecold. "

At this a scream, loud and terrible to hear, struck upon them all, asJoel flung himself flat on the floor. 

"Isn't Jappy--our--cousin? I--want--Jappy!"

"Goodness!" exclaimed the old gentleman, in the greatest alarm, "what isthe matter with the boy! Do somebody stop him!"

"Joel, " said Jasper, leaning over him, and trying to help Polly lift himup. "I'll tell you how we'll fix it! I'll be your brother. That's bestof all--brother to Polly, and Ben and the whole of you--then we'll see!"

Joel bolted up at that, and began to smile through the tears runningdown the rosy face. 

"Will you, really?" he said, "just like Ben--and everything?"

"I can't be as good as Ben, " said Jappy, laughing, "but I'll be a realbrother like him. "

"Phoo--phoo! Then I don't care!" cried Joel wiping off the last tearon the back of his chubby hand. "Now I guess we're better'n you, " heexclaimed with a triumphant glance over at the little Whitneys, as hebegan to make the new shoes skip at a lively pace up and down the longroom. 

"Oh, dear!" they both cried in great distress. 

"Now, papa, Jappy's going to be Joey's brother--and he isn't anythingbut our old uncle! Make him be ours more, papa, do!"

And then Polly sprang up. 

"Oh! oh--deary me!" And she rushed out into the hall and began totug violently at the big bundle, tossed down in a corner. "Cherry'lldie--Cherry'll die!" she cried, "do somebody help me off with thestring!"

But Polly already had it off by the time Jasper's knife was half outof his pocket, and was kneeling down on the floor scooping out a bighandful of the seed. 

"Don't hurry so, Polly, " said Jasper, as she jumped up to fly up-stairs. "He's had some a perfect age--he's all right. "

"What!" said Polly, stopping so suddenly that two or three little seedsflew out of the outstretched hand and went dancing away to the foot ofthe stairs by themselves. 

"Oh, I heard him scolding away there when I first came home, " saidJasper, "so I just ran down a block or two, and got him some. "

"Is that all there is in that big bundle?" said Joel in a disappointedtone, who had followed with extreme curiosity to see its contents. "Phoo!--that's no fun--old bird-seed!"

"I know, " said Polly with a gay little laugh, pointing with the handfulof seed into the library, "but I shouldn't have met the other big bundleif it hadn't have been for this, Joe!"